New Delhi – Voting for all 70 seats of the Delhi Assembly is currently underway, with polling stations witnessing a steady flow of voters since 7:00 AM. The elections, being held under heavy security, will continue until 6:00 PM.
Strong Voter Turnout Expected Delhi has a total of 1,56,14,000 registered voters, including 83,76,173 men, 72,36,560 women, and 1,267 third-gender voters. Among them are 2,39,905 first-time voters aged 18-19 years, 1,09,368 senior citizens above 85 years, and 79,885 voters with disabilities. To ensure a smooth electoral process, authorities have deployed 97,955 election officials and 8,715 volunteers across polling stations.
The security arrangements include 220 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), 19,000 Home Guards, and 35,626 Delhi Police personnel. ## Special Polling Arrangements In a move to promote inclusivity and voter engagement, the Election Commission has set up: – 70 polling stations managed entirely by women staff – 70 polling stations operated by persons with disabilities – 70 youth-centric polling stations to encourage young voters Voters can also track real-time queue status at polling booths using the AI-based “Delhi Election – 2025 QMS” app, available on the Google Play Store.
Additionally, medical teams and creche facilities have been set up for emergencies and for parents with young children. To facilitate easy navigation, polling stations have been color-coded, and a dedicated voter helpline (1950) is available for any election-related queries.
Fierce Political Battle The elections mark a high-stakes battle, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seeking a third consecutive term, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims to reclaim power in the national capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led BJP’s campaign, focusing on issues like Yamuna water pollution and corruption allegations against AAP.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized AAP, accusing it of mismanaging Delhi’s infrastructure. Urging citizens to participate, Chief Electoral Officer R Alice Vaz emphasized the importance of voting. “I encourage all voters in Delhi to come out and vote in large numbers. Participating in elections is our foremost duty as responsible citizens,” she stated.
Election-Day Controversies As voting continues, some pre-election tensions have surfaced. On Tuesday, BJP filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer, alleging that AAP workers were disrupting peace in several constituencies. Additionally, a viral social media video allegedly showed an AAP worker in Mehrauli holding a gun, sparking accusations of voter intimidation. The BJP has demanded strict action. In a separate development, an FIR was registered against Arvind Kejriwal and others in Haryana under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) over statements regarding Yamuna water and accusations against the Haryana government.
Key Leaders Cast Their Votes Several prominent leaders from major political parties have already cast their votes: – Rahul Gandhi (Congress) – Nirwan Bhawan (8:15 AM) – Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (Congress) – Atal School (11:00 AM) – Devender Yadav (Delhi Congress President) – Govt. Girls Senior Secondary School, Samaipur (10:00 AM) – Ajay Maken (Congress MP) – Sheela Kids School, Rajouri Garden (9:00 AM) – Pawan Khera (Congress) – Satyawati Sood Arya Sr. Sec. School, Nizamuddin East (10:00 AM) – Sandeep Dikshit (Former Congress MP) – DAV School, Nizamuddin East (7:00 AM) – Alka Lamba (Congress, Kalkaji candidate) – Tagore Garden MCD School (9:00 AM) – Hardeep Puri (Union Minister, BJP) and Lakshmi Puri – Mount Carmel School, Anand Niketan, Moti Bagh Earlier on Tuesday, AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi met with the Election Commission, raising concerns about alleged violence and intimidation tactics. Kejriwal thanked the Commission for addressing his concerns despite the ongoing silent period.
High-Stakes Constituencies Some key constituencies witnessing intense battles include: – New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal (AAP) vs. Parvesh Verma (BJP) vs. Sandeep Dikshit (Congress) – Kalkaji: Atishi (AAP) vs. Alka Lamba (Congress) vs. Ramesh Bidhuri (BJP) – Jangpura: Manish Sisodia (AAP) vs. Farhad Suri (Congress) vs. Tarvinder Singh Marwah (BJP) AAP, which currently holds over 60 of the 70 assembly seats, is banking on its governance record to secure another term. However, BJP is making a strong push to reclaim power, while Congress hopes for a revival in the capital. As polling progresses, authorities are monitoring the situation closely to ensure a peaceful and fair election process. — (ANI)
