Voting begins for high-stakes Delhi polls

Voting began for the high-octane Delhi Assembly elections, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) eyeing a third straight term, banking on its governance record and welfare schemes, while the BJP and Congress look for a resurgence.

Around 1.56 crore eligible voters started casting their ballots at 7 a.m. on Wednesday (February 5, 2025).

Also read: Delhi Assembly election 2025 LIVE updates

Polling is underway at 13,766 stations across all 70 Assembly constituencies to decide the fate of 699 candidates in a contest that could reshape the political landscape of the capital.

The Election Commission has deployed 220 companies of paramilitary forces, 35,626 Delhi Police personnel, and 19,000 home guards to ensure smooth voting.

Nearly 3,000 polling booths have been identified as sensitive, with special security arrangements, including drone surveillance, at some locations.

Voting underway in Ashok Nagar

Shiv Devi, 70, who lives in A block of New Ashok Nagar in East Delhi said that she voted for getting better water supply and drainage.

“The water we get from the tap is so bad that it smells. We are forced to get bottled water for drinking. Also, during monsoons, the roads get flooded and groundfloors of houses are also flooded,” she said standing next to open drains outside her polling booth. 

E-rickshaws for differently abled people and senior citizens above 85 years of age have been arranged by the government.

Irfan Khan, 35, driver of the e-rickshaw said, “It’s free, but no one has come yet to use it. The polling has just started. This polling station has two e-rickshaws and nearby ones also have two each.”

“I have voted for people who give importance for education. When children and youth are educated, then only our country will progress,” said Sushil Kumar, 22, who lives in D block, New Ashok Nagar of east Delhi.

He added that the condition of roads and drains are also bad.

“My daughter is in class 12 in a government school and her school has become better. In Delhi there is more facilities than my hometown in U.P. and we get free water and electricity,” said Suman, 36, a housewife, said outside her polling station in New Ashok Nagar of east Delhi.

Ms. Suman, whose husband works as a tailor at a private company for ₹15,000 a month said that she and other women in the area also believe that they’ll get ₹2,100 per month if the AAP comes back to power.

The Delhi Assembly election is seen as a referendum on AAP’s governance model and its leader, Arvind Kejriwal.

AAP is seeking a third consecutive term, relying on its governance record and welfare schemes.

On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making a determined push to reclaim the capital after more than 25 years.

The Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 years until 2013, is striving to stage a comeback after failing to win a single seat in the last two elections.

Delhi Police has stationed additional forces at sensitive booths, with Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) deployed to maintain law and order.

Special provisions have been made for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, with 733 polling stations designated for accessibility.

To streamline the process, the Election Commission has introduced a Queue Management System (QMS) app, allowing voters to check crowd levels in real time.

Additionally, 6,980 out of 7,553 eligible voters under the home voting facility have already cast their ballots.

Polling is scheduled to continue until 6 p.m.

The election results on February 8 will determine whether AAP retains its stronghold, BJP breaks its losing streak, or Congress stages an unexpected comeback.

(With inputs from PTI)