The Election Commission has announced the much-awaited schedule for Delhi’s Assembly election. Voting will take place on February 5, and the votes will be counted on February 8. Over 1.55 crore voters will participate across 70 Assembly constituencies, 12 of which are reserved.
The election will be conducted in a single phase. Candidates must file their nominations by January 17, and January 20 is the last date for withdrawing nominations. With this announcement, the model code of conduct is now in effect in Delhi. Voting will take place at 13,033 polling stations to select members for the eighth Delhi Assembly.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar revealed at a press meet that over 2 lakh young voters will cast their votes for the first time. He outlined steps to make voting easier, including special facilities for elderly voters and persons with disabilities. Additionally, voters over 85 years old can vote from home.
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal quickly rallied his party workers, urging them to step up preparations. “Even the biggest systems fail before your passion. You are our greatest strength. This is an election between the politics of work and the politics of abuses. We will surely win,” he shared on X.
The BJP president welcomed the election dates and appealed to voters to choose a government that promotes Delhi’s growth. “BJP is committed to Delhi’s all-round progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership,” he said.
Addressing concerns about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reassured voters of their integrity. “EVMs are tamper-proof and cannot be hacked. Claims of manipulation have been investigated and proven false. This technology ensures free and fair elections,” he said. The Election Commission also addressed concerns about voter list accuracy, promising full transparency.
AAP is aiming for a third consecutive term in Delhi, while BJP is determined to regain power after years in opposition. Congress, which lost to AAP after years of ruling Delhi, is also hoping to make a comeback. Despite being allies in the INDIA coalition at the national level, AAP and Congress are contesting the Delhi elections independently. Kejriwal dismissed rumors of a pre-poll alliance between the two parties.
In Okhla, AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan is seeking a third term. He faces competition from Congress, BJP, and AIMIM, a new entrant led by Asaduddin Owaisi, which is testing its appeal in this key constituency.
Before the rise of Amanatullah Khan in Okhla, the Muslim-dominated constituency was the bastion of Congress. Though the Congress has not announced its candidate yet, there are several candidates in the race to lay claim to the ticket. It is understood that after the announcement of the date of election, chances are high that the party with BJP will have to finalise their candidacy soon. AIMIM might wait for more days and zero in on rebel candidates from the Congress, said sources.
