Congress candidate from New Delhi constituency, Sandeep Dikshit casts his vote

Congress candidate from the New Delhi constituency, Sandeep Dikshit, cast his vote on Wednesday as polling began for the high-stakes Delhi Assembly elections. Dikshit, son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, urged voters to participate in large numbers, emphasising the importance of democracy.

“Every vote matters in shaping the future of our city. I appeal to all citizens to come out and exercise their right,” Dikshit said after casting his ballot.

Emphasising the need for development-oriented voting, he added, “The voters are going to vote for development. People should vote for a good candidate who meets their aspirations. I have also voted for the candidate who I think is best for Jangpura. I want everyone to come out and cast their votes.”

Polling started at 7 AM across Delhi’s 70 Assembly constituencies, with 1.56 crore eligible voters deciding the fate of 699 candidates. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is seeking a third consecutive term, banking on its governance record, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress aim for a comeback in the capital’s political landscape.

Voting is underway at 13,766 polling stations, with the Election Commission deploying 220 companies of paramilitary forces, 35,626 Delhi Police personnel, and 19,000 home guards to ensure smooth elections. Nearly 3,000 polling booths have been identified as sensitive, with additional security, including drone surveillance and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), deployed.

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The New Delhi constituency holds symbolic importance, with AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal previously securing victory from this seat. Congress, once a dominant force in the city, is looking to reclaim lost ground, with Dikshit leading its charge. The BJP, which has not won the Delhi Assembly in over 25 years, is also aggressively contesting the election.

The last Assembly elections in 2020 saw a voter turnout of 62.59%, while the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Delhi recorded only 56%. With polling open until 6 pm, turnout will be closely watched as a key factor in determining the outcome.

The results on February 8 will determine whether AAP retains its stronghold, the BJP breaks its losing streak, or Congress stages an unexpected comeback.