The Impressive TimesNew Delhi : Voting for the 70-member Delhi Assembly concluded peacefully last evening, registering a voter turnout of approximately 60.42 per cent. The highest turnout of 66.25 per cent was recorded in the North East Delhi district, while South East Delhi witnessed the lowest at 56.16 per cent. In other districts, the Shahdara district reported a turnout of 63.94 per cent, North Delhi recorded 59.55 per cent, and North West Delhi stood at 60.70 per cent. The turnout remained similar to the last elections, reflecting consistent voter engagement in the national capital.
Prominent leaders whose electoral fate is now sealed in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) include Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Manish Sisodia, and key BJP candidates such as Parvesh Verma, Vijender Gupta, Arvinder Singh Lovely, and Ramesh Bidhuri. From the Congress, notable candidates include Devendra Yadav, Sandeep Dixit, and Alka Lamba. A total of 699 candidates were in the fray, making this a highly competitive election.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) ensured elaborate security arrangements across polling stations to conduct free and fair elections. A zero-tolerance approach was adopted against any misuse of money power to influence voters. As a result, enforcement agencies made significant seizures worth approximately ₹236 crore since the announcement of the Delhi elections on January 7, covering cash, liquor, drugs, and freebies meant to lure voters. Polling was conducted smoothly across all constituencies, with no reports of major violence or disturbances. Several polling booths saw long queues, indicating strong voter enthusiasm. Special arrangements were made for elderly and differently-abled voters, including wheelchair assistance and priority voting.
The elections were fought primarily on issues such as governance, infrastructure development, water and electricity supply, and education. AAP campaigned on its track record of governance, while the BJP focused on national leadership and law and order concerns. Congress sought to make a comeback with its welfare-oriented agenda. Simultaneously, bye-elections were conducted for the Erode-East assembly seat in Tamil Nadu and Milkipur in Uttar Pradesh. The voter turnout in Erode-East was recorded at 67.97 per cent, while Milkipur witnessed a turnout of approximately 65.35 per cent.
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