The counting of the votes will take place on February 8. (image-X/ECISVEEP)
New Delhi: The high-octane Delhi Assembly elections have concluded across all 70 assembly constituencies in the national capital. Voting took place in a total of 13,766 polling stations at 2,696 polling locations. Polling officials sealed EVMs after voting concluded at 6 pm in the national capital.
According to the Election Commission of India, a voter turnout of around 57.85 percent was recorded as of 5 pm.
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Interestingly, the communally rife Mustafabad recorded the highest turnout at 66.68 percent, while the lowest was recorded at 47.40 percent in Karol Bagh.
In light of the assembly elections, a paid holiday was declared for employees in both government and private sectors. Uttar Pradesh and Haryana also announced a paid holiday today.
Chaos erupted in Seelampur, Jangpura, and Kasturba Nagar after allegations of fraudulent voting. Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the presiding officers of influencing the elections by “fulfilling the target of fake voting” for the ruling BJP during the by-election in the Milkipur assembly constituency. He posted several videos and audio clips in connection with the same and called for strict action against those involved along with the immediate cancellation of the poll at the specific booths.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that money was being distributed to voters in the building adjacent to the BJP booth in Jangpura Assembly under the supervision of Delhi Police and Election Commission. The party also accused the Delhi Police of closing the road and preventing voters from leaving in the Kalkaji assembly constituency.
Meanwhile, a BJP leader claimed some people wearing burqas were attempting to vote fraudulently in Seelampur. Several BJP leaders began sloganeering outside a polling booth. However, the Delhi police denied any fake voting in the region.
In the 2020 assembly polls, Delhi recorded a voter turnout of 62.59 percent, while only 56 percent of voters participated in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
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Over 699 candidates stood for elections in the national capital, with the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress fielding 70 candidates each. The Bharatiya Janata Party had 68 candidates, with two seats for its allies Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).
In the 2020 Assembly polls, AAP secured a massive victory, winning 62 out of 70 seats, while BJP won 8 seats. The Congress failed to secure any seats in the election. This time, a triangular contest between the AAP, the BJP, and the Congress, the ruling party aims for a third consecutive term, while the saffron party hopes to make a return to power after 25 years, and the grand old party strives to make a comeback.
The ruling AAP chief and former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has predicted over 55 seats out of a total of 70 for his party while the BJP and Congress have also expressed their confidence in winning a big number.
The counting of the votes will take place on February 8.
