Election Commission Announces Poll Dates; BJP, AAP, and Congress Gear Up for High-Stakes Battle
New Delhi, January 7: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for the 2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly Elections, setting the stage for a high-stakes political battle.
Key Dates for Delhi Assembly Elections 2025:
- Polling Date: February 5, 2025
- Counting of Votes: February 8, 2025
- Last Date for Filing Nominations: January 17, 2025
- Scrutiny of Nominations: January 18, 2025
- Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidature: January 20, 2025
With the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) now in effect, political parties have intensified their campaigns as Delhi braces for a fierce electoral contest.
Voter List Overview:
The final voter list, published on January 6, 2025, records a total of 1,55,24,858 registered voters in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, marking a 1.09% increase from the previous count.
Political Dynamics and Key Battles:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched an aggressive campaign, targeting Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over his alleged involvement in the Delhi Excise Policy case. The party has promised a “double-engine government” to address governance and development issues.
On the other hand, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), aiming for a third consecutive term, is focusing on its achievements in the education and healthcare sectors to win voters’ trust.
The Congress, once dominant in Delhi, is making efforts to regain relevance after failing to secure any seats in the 2015 and 2020 assembly elections.
Key Contests to Watch:
- New Delhi Seat: BJP’s Parvesh Verma will challenge AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, while Congress has fielded Sandeep Dixit, son of former Delhi CM Sheila Dixit.
- Kalkaji Seat: BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri will face off against AAP’s Atishi and Congress’ Alka Lamba.
Past Election Performance:
In the 2020 Delhi Assembly Elections, the AAP secured a massive victory, winning 62 out of 70 seats, while the BJP managed only eight seats. The Congress, despite being in power for 15 consecutive years under Sheila Dixit, failed to secure a single seat.
The Road Ahead:
As the poll dates draw closer, Delhi is set to witness an intense political showdown. The results on February 8 will determine whether AAP retains its dominance, or if the BJP and Congress can script a comeback story.
