Voting is currently underway for all 70 Assembly constituencies in Delhi, with the city witnessing a sluggish start. As of 9 AM, voter turnout stood at 8.1 per cent.

The election is shaping up to be a fierce battle between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is aiming for a third consecutive term, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), determined to wrest control of the capital, and the Congress, striving to regain its political foothold.

Over 1.56 crore eligible voters will determine the outcome for 699 candidates contesting across the 70 seats. Given the high stakes, security has been intensified, with authorities ensuring a safe and fair electoral process. The campaign period was marked by intense debates over governance, corruption allegations, voter list integrity, law and order concerns, and promises of welfare schemes.

The results will be announced on February 8 when counting begins.

AAP, led by Arvind Kejriwal, is banking on its track record in governance and social welfare initiatives to secure another term. The BJP, which has been out of power in Delhi for over 25 years, has mounted an aggressive challenge, focusing on allegations of corruption and mismanagement against AAP. Meanwhile, the Congress, which failed to win a single seat in the last two elections, is hoping to stage a comeback.

Kejriwal and Chief Minister Atishi have led AAP’s campaign, emphasizing their administration’s achievements. This election is particularly significant for Kejriwal, who resigned in September last year following his release on bail in connection with the liquor policy case. He is now seeking voter support to reclaim the Chief Minister’s post.

The BJP’s campaign, spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and party president JP Nadda, has strongly attacked AAP’s record, citing the liquor policy controversy, alleged governance failures, and extravagant spending on the Chief Minister’s residence.

Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, has also mounted a spirited fight, taking aim at both AAP and BJP.

Each party has made several promises to attract voters. AAP has pledged free bus rides for students, insurance for auto and taxi drivers, and a monthly allowance of Rs 18,000 for temple priests and gurdwara granthis. The BJP has promised Rs 21,000 in financial aid for pregnant women and LPG cylinders at a subsidized rate of Rs 500. Meanwhile, Congress has proposed an unemployment benefit of Rs 8,500 per month.

As the campaign neared its end, tensions escalated when AAP accused the BJP-led Haryana government of contaminating the Yamuna River, drawing sharp rebuttals from BJP leaders.

In high-profile contests, Arvind Kejriwal is competing in the New Delhi constituency against BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Congress’ Sandeep Dikshit. In Kalkaji, Chief Minister Atishi is facing BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress’ Alka Lamba. Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who has shifted from Patparganj to Jangpura, is up against BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah and Congress’ Farhad Suri.

AAP first came to power in December 2013 with external support from Congress but stepped down after 49 days due to its inability to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill. The party then secured massive victories in 2015 and 2020, winning 67 and 62 seats, respectively, while the BJP was reduced to single digits and Congress failed to secure any seats.

To ensure smooth polling, extensive security measures have been implemented. The Election Commission has deployed 220 paramilitary companies, 35,626 Delhi Police personnel, and 19,000 home guards. Nearly 3,000 polling stations have been marked as sensitive, with additional security measures, including drone surveillance, in place.