New Delhi [India]: The voting process for the Delhi Assembly elections concluded on Wednesday at 6 PM across all 11 districts of the National Capital Territory.
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), voters who were in line by the closing time were permitted to cast their votes.
The election is a three-way contest between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress. The final results will be declared on February 8 when the votes are counted.
Several prominent political figures exercised their franchise, including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Hardeep Singh Puri, Virendraa Sachdeva, Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi, and Manish Sisodia.
Additionally, key personalities such as President Droupadi Murmu, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Anil Chauhan, former President Ram Nath Kovind, former Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, and senior advocate Kapil Sibal also participated in the electoral process.
As per ECI data, voter turnout stood at 57.70% by 5 PM during the single-phase polling in Delhi. Among all districts, the North-East district recorded the highest turnout at 63.83%, while the lowest voter participation was in the South East district at 53.77%, followed by the New Delhi district at 54.37%.
The voter turnout percentages in other districts as of 5 PM were:
- South West: 58.86%
- East: 58.98%
- North: 57.24%
- North West: 58.05%
- Shahdara: 61.35%
- South: 55.72%
- Central: 55.24%
- West: 57.42%
AAP, which is seeking a third consecutive term, faces stiff competition from the BJP, which has aggressively campaigned under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. BJP’s campaign has focused on issues such as Yamuna water pollution and corruption allegations against the Kejriwal-led government.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra held multiple rallies, accusing AAP of “damaging” Delhi’s infrastructure.
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. The electorate also includes 2,39,905 first-time voters aged 18-19, 1,09,368 elderly voters aged 85 and above, and 79,885 persons with disabilities.
To ensure a smooth election process, around 97,955 personnel and 8,715 volunteers were deployed. Security arrangements included 220 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), 19,000 Home Guards, and 35,626 Delhi Police personnel to maintain law and order.
The election results on February 8 will determine whether AAP retains power or if BJP or Congress can stage a comeback in the national capital.