Delhi Assembly Election Results: A Close Contest
Delhi held its assembly elections on Wednesday, with a voter turnout of 57.89 percent. This is slightly lower than the 2020 turnout of 62.59 percent, when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won a landslide victory. The latest updates show a close race between the AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with several exit polls predicting a BJP win. The Congress is expected to perform poorly again. The election saw 699 candidates battling for 70 seats, with the main contest between the AAP and BJP. The results will decide whether AAP gets a third consecutive term or BJP will form a government after a 27-year wait.
High Voter Turnout Despite Allegations
Despite some reports of alleged malpractices, including money distribution and fake voting claims made by both AAP and BJP, long queues were seen at polling stations across Delhi. The Election Commission of India (ECI) reported that all 70 constituencies had a peaceful election. Voting continued after the scheduled closing time of 6 pm to accommodate voters still in line. Polling stations across Delhi celebrated the election with a festive atmosphere, decorating booths with colorful posters and messages from celebrities like Lata Mangeshkar and paralympians. Voter participation was high, with many first-time voters, elderly people, and members of the transgender community casting their ballots. Even prominent figures like President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and several Union Ministers exercised their right to vote.
Allegations of Malpractice and the Response
Throughout the day, AAP and BJP engaged in a heated exchange of accusations, each party alleging that the other party engaged in election malpractices in various constituencies. There were reports of alleged fake voting attempts, with incidents in areas like Seelampur and Kasturba Nagar. However, police authorities denied widespread fraudulent activity and asserted sufficient security measures were in place. The Delhi Chief Electoral Officer confirmed that the polling process was running smoothly, with some EVMs being replaced due to technical issues.
Exit Polls and Reactions
The latest news includes several exit polls predicting a BJP victory, although some show a close contest, or an AAP win. AAP spokesperson Reena Gupta dismissed the exit polls, confidently predicting an AAP victory and a fourth term for Arvind Kejriwal as chief minister. In contrast, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva expressed belief in a more significant victory than the exit polls had indicated.
Key Players and Their Statements
Arvind Kejriwal, along with his family, voted in the election. He appealed to the people of Delhi to vote for good schools, hospitals, and development, highlighting his party's record and hopes. His wife, Sunita Kejriwal, expressed confidence in the voters' intelligence and their capacity to make the right choices.
The BJP's Aim
The BJP is aggressively campaigning to win back Delhi after more than 25 years. Their campaign has been focusing on corruption, governance failures, and law and order issues. The results of this election will undoubtedly be a significant development in Indian politics.