Security protocols have been intensified throughout Delhi as the counting for the 70-member Legislative Assembly election starts today (Saturday). Footage from the national capital reveals security forces positioned outside various counting locations to guarantee a smooth and organized operation.
Exit Polls Forecast BJP Victory, AAP Remains Optimistic
The majority of exit polls have indicated a decisive win for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) trailing and the Congress persisting in its electoral challenges. Nonetheless, AAP officials stay hopeful, contending that exit polls have consistently undervalued their party’s performance.
Kejriwal Confronts Strong Competition in Crucial Areas
The electoral contest in Delhi showcases several prominent candidates, including former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who faces off against Congress stalwart Sandeep Dikshit and BJP’s Parvesh Verma. At the same time, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi is in a race against BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress’ Alka Lamba.
The campaign featured vigorous exchanges among leaders from all three primary parties, each aiming to obtain a robust mandate.
Contention Regarding Voting Information
On Friday, Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) dismissed accusations from Arvind Kejriwal that the Election Commission (EC) had withheld polling station-specific voting data. Kejriwal claimed that despite repeated appeals, the EC had declined to release Form 17C, which documents the votes cast at each polling station.
“EC has declined to upload Form 17C and the count of votes cast per booth in each assembly despite numerous requests. Aam Aadmi Party has created a website, where we have uploaded all the Form 17Cs from every assembly,” Kejriwal announced on X.
In reply, the EC stated that all protocols were duly observed. “In accordance with Rule 49S of the Conduct of Election Rules 1961, all the Presiding Officers provided the account of votes recorded in Form 17C to every Polling Agent present at the polling station on the polling day, February 5, 2025,” read a statement from the Delhi CEO’s office.
The regulation requires presiding officers to draft a record of votes at the conclusion of polling and present a copy of Form 17C to polling agents. “The presiding officer shall provide every polling agent present at the conclusion of the poll a true copy of the entries recorded in Form 17C after receiving a receipt from the said polling agent therefor and shall attest it as a true copy,” the regulation articulates.
Focus on Key Constituencies as Results Begin to Emerge
As vote counting proceeds, attention turns to significant constituencies and whether exit poll forecasts will prove accurate. Will BJP achieve a commanding win, or could AAP be gearing up for an unexpected resurgence? The results today will provide answers to these urgent inquiries.