By The Sampadak Express
The political landscape of Delhi is heating up as the national capital prepares for the highly anticipated Assembly elections set for Wednesday, February 5, 2025. The city is all set to witness a critical face-off, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seeking a third consecutive term in office, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) eyes a comeback after more than 25 years, and the Congress looks to make a comeback following a 15-year hiatus from power.
Political Drama Ahead of Voting
The election campaign reached its peak on the eve of polling, marked by a significant meeting between AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, and the Election Commission of India. As the day unfolded, AAP and BJP leaders engaged in sharp exchanges, fueling the already charged political atmosphere ahead of the voting showdown.
AAP, under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, has heavily relied on its governance record, welfare initiatives, and public services to secure a third straight term. Meanwhile, the BJP is determined to reclaim the Delhi Assembly, which it has not controlled for over two decades, despite several attempts. The Congress, once a dominant force in Delhi politics under the leadership of the late Sheila Dikshit, is hoping for a revival. However, it faces a steep uphill battle, having failed to secure a single seat in the last two elections.
Election Day Details
The Delhi Assembly Election 2025 will take place in a single phase on Wednesday, February 5, from 7 AM to 6 PM. The counting of votes is scheduled for February 8.Voters will cast their ballots across 13,766 polling stations spread across all 70 Assembly constituencies. A total of 699 candidates, representing various parties, will vie for the coveted seats.
The Election Commission has issued a notification banning the conduct, publication, or publicizing of exit polls from 7 AM to 6:30 PM on the election day, ensuring a fair and transparent voting process. The ban will also apply to by-polls in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu scheduled for the same day.
Security Measures in Place
In light of the high stakes, over 30,000 police personnel, along with 220 companies of paramilitary forces, have been deployed across Delhi to maintain law and order during the polling process. According to special commissioners of police, additional security arrangements, including drone surveillance, have been implemented in sensitive areas, with nearly 3,000 polling booths identified as high-risk zones.
Innovations for Voter Convenience
The Election Commission of India has introduced several technological innovations to ease the voting process. One such initiative is the Queue Management System (QMS) app, which will allow voters to check real-time crowd levels at polling stations, making it easier for them to plan their visit. Special provisions have also been made for senior citizens and persons with disabilities to ensure their ease of access to polling stations.
In a bid to promote voter awareness and facilitate participation, Chief Electoral Officer R Alice Vaz presented a voter information slip to President Droupadi Murmu in Delhi. This gesture is of the Election Commission’s ongoing efforts to increase voter engagement and education.
AAP Gears Up for Tough Contest
The Aam Aadmi Party, which has governed Delhi for the past two terms, faces its most challenging electoral battle yet, after the arrest of several key party leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal. Despite the hurdles, AAP remains confident in its welfare-focused governance record. The party has also taken extra precautions to ensure a smooth election process on polling day. AAP volunteers have been deployed to check polling booth setups, cross-check presiding officer details, and monitor the battery percentage of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during and after voting.
Political Leaders Seek Divine Blessings
With only a day to go before the elections, Delhi’s political leaders have sought divine intervention for their electoral fortunes. Both AAP and BJP leaders visited temples, offering prayers and performing rituals in hopes of securing victory.
Key Candidates in the 2025 Delhi Assembly Election
Several high-profile leaders are in the fray, making this election even more crucial:
Arvind Kejriwal (AAP): The former Chief Minister is contesting from the New Delhi seat. He will face BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit, making this one of the most watched constituencies.
Atishi (AAP): The current Delhi CM is contesting from Kalkaji. She faces tough competition from Congress’s Alka Lamba and BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri.
Manish Sisodia (AAP): The Deputy Chief Minister is contesting from the Jangpura seat, where he will battle BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah and Congress’s Farhad Suri.
Satyendar Jain (AAP): A senior AAP leader, Jain is contesting from Shakur Basti, where he will go head-to-head with BJP’s Karnail Singh.
Awadh Ojha (AAP): A teacher-turned-politician, Ojha is contesting against BJP’s Ravinder Singh Negi and Congress’s Anil Chaudhary.
Somnath Bharti (AAP): AAP’s Somnath Bharti will once again contest the Malviya Nagar seat against BJP’s Satish Upadhyay and Congress’s Jitendra Kumar Kochar.
With the stage set for one of the most intense political battles in Delhi’s history, all eyes are on the February 5, 2025, Assembly election. The AAP, BJP, and Congress are all vying for supremacy in the national capital, each determined to emerge victorious. As the candidates make their final preparations, voters in Delhi will be the ultimate decision-makers in this high-stakes election.
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