Battle for Capital: AAP eyes third term; BJP, Cong look at resurgence as Delhi votes today

An intense electoral battle for the Capital is on the cards as the stage is set for the high-stakes Assembly elections in Delhi on Wednesday.

- AIMAN FATIMA

Over 1.56 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots across 13,766 polling stations in all 70 Assembly constituencies.

As many as 699 candidates are locked in the electoral tussle, which will decide their fates on Wednesday when voters exercise their franchise through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

A public holiday has been declared in Delhi and Haryana on Wednesday, February 5, in the wake of voting in the Delhi Elections 2025. Delhi will vote on February 5 to elect a new Assembly. The voting will be held between 7 am and 6 pm on Wednesday.

Earlier on Sunday, the Haryana government declared a paid holiday in all public offices, academic institutions, boards, and corporations on February 5 for the Assembly election in Delhi. The holiday will allow employees of the state government who are registered voters of Delhi to exercise their franchise.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, is seeking to secure a third straight term, riding on its popular welfare schemes and work done in sectors like education and health.

AAP faces a stiff challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is relying on the popularity, governance record, and image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reclaim the Capital after more than 25 years.

The Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 years until 2013, is striving to stage a comeback after failing to win a single seat in the previous two Assembly elections.

Polling will begin at 7 am on Wednesday and continue until 6 pm under tight security arrangements. The Election Commission has deployed 220 companies of paramilitary forces, 35,626 Delhi Police personnel, and 19,000 home guards to ensure peaceful voting.