Voters show their ink-marked fingers at a polling booth in Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Kalkaji in New Delhi on February 5, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
60. 39% of Delhi voters had cast their votes by closing time on Wednesday (February 5, 2025), sealing the city’s political fate for the next five years. The voter turnout figure for the high-stakes Delhi Assembly election is likely to rise as updates continue to come in from polling booths.
Polling began at 7 a.m. and officially ended at 6 p.m., with an electorate of more than 1.56 crore voters deciding the fate of 699 candidates across 70 constituencies. Voting was conducted in a single phase, with 13,766 polling stations including 733 auxiliary polling stations set up at 2,696 locations across the city.
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In the 2020 State election, the voter turnout was 62.59%, while in 2015, it was even higher at 67.47%. Among the constituencies, Mustafabad recorded the highest turnout at 69% by 11 p.m., while only 53.04% of voters exercised their franchise in Mehrauli.. Delhi Cantonment, which has historically seen low voter participation, saw some improvement this year, registering a 57% turnout.
No MCC cases registered
Over 30,000 Delhi police personnel were deployed on the ground, along with 200 paramilitary teams.
Political parties complained about violations of the Model Code of Conduct in Chirag Delhi, Jangpura, Farsh Bazaar, and Seelampur. However, the Delhi Police did not register any case on the basis of these allegations, claiming that they had been resolved.
The AAP is fighting for a consecutive third termwhile the BJP is looking to form the government in Delhi after 28 years. The Congress, which has won zero seats in the last decade, is hoping for a re-entry into the State Assembly. Leaders from all three parties claimed that their messages had resonated with voters and would assure them the victory.
High-profile contests
There are close contests expected in several high-profile constituencies, including New Delhi where former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of the AAP will take on the sons of two former CMs: Parvesh Sahib Singh of the BJP and Sandeep Dikshit of the Congress. Other key constituencies are former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia’s Jangpura seat, where the BJP has fielded Tarvinder Singh Marwah and the Congress nominee is Farhad Suri. Current Chief Minister Atishi is also in the fray from Kalkaji, defending it from former BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri and the Congress’s Alka Lamba.
Several candidates started their day before the polls opened, paying their respects at religious places.
The capital is also home to high-profile voters including President Draupadi Murmu, Vice President Jaideep Dhankhar, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar who voted along with his family, and Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Kumar. Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi also voted on Wednesday. While Mr. Kejriwal voted along with his family, Ms. Atishi and other senior leaders also voted. BJP candidates, including Mr. Bidhuri, Mr. Verma, and the BJP’s Delhi chief Virendra Sachdeva also cast their votes.
Also Read | Delhi Assembly polls: Several exit polls predict victory for BJP, AAP rejects results
Festival of democracy
Ahead of the election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also encouraged voters to exercise their franchise, in a post on X. “I urge the voters here to participate in this festival of democracy with full enthusiasm and cast their valuable vote. On this occasion, my special wishes to all the young friends who are going to vote for the first time. Remember – first vote, then refreshment!” he said.
The Delhi CEO had made extensive arrangements for voters, including the provision of refreshments within polling stations. As voters trickled into booths, party workers and resident welfare associations encouraged people to participate by going door-to-door and sending messages on WhatsApp groups.
Published – February 05, 2025 10:21 pm IST
