The Election Commission has announced the dates for the Delhi Assembly elections on Tuesday. The elections will take place in a single phase on February 5, with the results to be declared and votes counted on February 8. The entire election process will be concluded by February 10, the Commission confirmed.
The term of Delhi’s 70-member Assembly is set to end on February 23. Traditionally, Delhi has held assembly elections in a single phase.
The deadline for submitting nominations is January 17, followed by the scrutiny of nominations by January 18. Candidates will have until January 20 to withdraw their nominations. With the announcement of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into effect in Delhi.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar noted, “It is a single-phase election. We have deliberately kept polling on a Wednesday so more people come out to vote, like we did in Maharashtra.”
Of the 70 seats in Delhi, 58 are general and 12 are reserved. The electoral roll lists 1.55 crore voters, including 83.49 lakh men, 71.74 lakh women, and 1,261 transgender persons.
There are 25.89 lakh young voters, 2.08 lakh first-time voters, and 830 voters above the age of 100. More than 13,000 polling stations will be set up across the city, the CEC added.
By-elections for two assembly constituencies, Milkipur in Uttar Pradesh and Erode in Tamil Nadu, will be held on the same schedule. In the 2020 Delhi elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) secured 62 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won eight, and the Congress did not secure any seats.
The ruling AAP, led by former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, is aiming for a third consecutive term in power. The BJP, having gained ground in the Lok Sabha elections, is determined to win in the capital. The Congress, which is contesting the election alone, faces both BJP and AAP in a bid to regain relevance.
Kejriwal expressed confidence in his party’s victory, stating, “This election will be between the politics of work and the politics of abuse. The people of Delhi will have faith in our politics of work. We will definitely win,” on X.
He and other AAP leaders have accused the BJP of resorting to abuse in their campaign, and for failing to present a clear chief ministerial candidate or issues.
In a move aimed at safeguarding the election process, the Election Commission stated that no provisions specific to Delhi can be included in the Union Budget ahead of the elections.
“We will write to the cabinet secretary that no Delhi-specific provision can be made in the Union Budget that can disturb the level-playing field,” said Kumar.
The CEC urged political parties to maintain decorum during the campaign period, emphasising the importance of free and fair elections. He pointed out that the Commission would be vigilant in ensuring a money-free election process. “We will check everyone for ensuring money-free elections,” Kumar said, referencing the scrutiny of helicopters used in recent elections.
Kumar also warned political parties to avoid creating undue pressure on election officials. “District magistrates and returning officers will ensure fair play and a level playing field for every candidate,” he added.
He further cautioned that campaigns should not cross ethical lines, especially regarding polarisation, which he said could have lasting negative effects.
“World over, if you look at democracies, words like ‘democratic backsliding’ and ‘democratic recession’ are being used. The scars created during polarised campaigns do not fade even during non-campaign periods,” Kumar said.
He emphasised the need for political parties to act responsibly, urging them to avoid crossing lines that have been observed globally.
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