LIVE | BJP set to win Delhi after 27 years, say most exit polls
Delhi records a voter turnout of 57.7 per cent till 5 pm amid allegations of bogus voting and cash distribution; 2 detained for alleged bogus voting
As voting for the Delhi Assembly elections concluded on Wednesday (February 5), almost all exit polls, barring two, have projected a BJP comeback in Delhi after 27 years.
While the AAP is predicted to give the saffron party a fight, the Congress seems nowhere in the picture, going by the exit polls. Two exit polls have predicted an AAP win.
Voter turnout
Till 5 pm on Wednesday, the Election Commission recorded a voter turnout of about 57.7 per cent across the national capital's 70 assembly constituencies.
Also read: ‘AAP-da’: Day before Delhi voting, Modi targets Kejriwal in Parliament
The ruling AAP and BJP were engaged in an intense blame game for the better part of the day, with both sides alleging voting malpractices in different constituencies. However, the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi told news agency PTI around noon that the polling process was going on "smoothly".
Polling began at 7 am on Wednesday. Till 5 pm, the highest turnout was recorded in the Northeast district at 63.83 per cent, while the New Delhi district recorded the lowest at 54.37 per cent. Among other constituencies, Mustafabad had the highest turnout at 66.68 per cent while Karol Bagh recorded the lowest at 47.40 per cent.
Shahdara recorded a turnout of 61.35 per cent, Southwest Delhi 58.86 per cent, Northwest Delhi 58.05 per cent, North Delhi 57.24 per cent, Central Delhi district 55.24 per cent, Southeast Delhi 53.77 per cent, according to the EC data.
Also read: On poll eve, Kejriwal meets EC, claims Delhi Police intimidated voters
High-profile voters
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Union ministers S Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal were among the early voters.
The counting of votes will take place on Saturday (February 8).
Bypolls in Erode, Milkipur
Voting was also held for the bypolls to the Erode East Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu and Milkipur in Uttar Pradesh. The constituencies registered about 64 and 65 per cent turnouts, respectively, by 5 pm.
In Erode East, the battle is largely confined between the ruling DMK and actor-politician Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK). In the Scheduled Castes (SC)-reserved Milkipur, the main contest is expected to be between Samajwadi Party’s Ajit Prasad and the BJP’s Chandrabhanu Paswan.
Live Updates
- 5 Feb 2025 11:45 AM GMT
Delhi Police ensured smooth, peaceful voting: Official
The Delhi Police took several steps to ensure smooth and peaceful polling during the Delhi Assembly elections, with a 46.55 per cent voter turnout recorded by 3 pm without any major incidents, an official said on Wednesday.
All police officers were actively deployed on the ground and teams responded promptly to complaints of Model Code of Conduct violations, said Special Commissioner of Police (SPN-Assembly Election) Devesh Chandra Srivastava during a press briefing.
Legal action was taken wherever necessary, he added.
To facilitate voting, police teams assisted senior citizens and specially-abled voters, he said adding that Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora personally monitored several polling booths.
Apart from handling PCR calls, the police also responded to concerns raised on social media. Security arrangements will continue as EVMs are safely escorted to strong rooms, he said.
- 5 Feb 2025 11:23 AM GMT
What do first-time voters want from Delhi govt?
First-time voters in the Delhi polls on Wednesday are rooting for safer environments for women, better job opportunities and overall development of the national capital.
As voting was in progress, teens called the day a turning point to make their voices heard and highlight the importance of every single vote.
Priya Sharma, 19, cast her ballot for the first time at a Kalkaji polling station. “I’ve grown up hearing the importance of democracy but participating in it is a completely different and exhilarating experience. Every vote matters, and now I am a part of shaping our future,” she said.
“It feels like a new turning point in my life,” Sharma added.
Kashish, a first-year BA student at Mata Sundari College and a resident of Gol Market, shared her excitement about voting for the first time.
“In my college, we friends were eager to participate. I am here to vote for a better environment for women. I live alone with my mother and at times, it can be difficult. Women should not constantly worry about their safety,” she said.
Across various polling stations, several first-time voters echoed similar sentiments. For them, casting their first vote was not just a civic duty but a powerful step towards shaping society and asserting their voices in a democracy.
Twenty-year-old Aarav Goswami, a resident of Dilshad Garden, said, “Women’s security should not be compromised. Our mothers and sisters should be safe and feel comfortable.”
Goswami, who is pursuing a degree in Engineering, added, “I am very concerned about securing a job as unemployment is a major issue. I hope I do not end up unemployed, so I support more employment opportunities.”
“We want better opportunities for everyone and improved living conditions. Here in Okhla, sanitation is a major issue. Roads are broken, drainage problems are everywhere and open drains pose serious concerns. Basic infrastructure needs urgent attention, this is 2025,” said Mariyan, a 24-year-old mother of a seven-month-old baby, who is voting for the first time in Abul Fazal Enclave.
She also emphasised that environmental issues should be a priority.
- 5 Feb 2025 10:41 AM GMT
Pakistani Hindu refugees show their fingers marked with indelible ink after casting their votes for the first time during the Delhi Assembly elections, at a resettlement colony in Majnu Ka Tila area, in New Delhi, on Wednesday | PTI
