The Election Commission has announced that assembly elections in Delhi will be held in a single phase on February 5, with votes to be counted on February 8. The schedule was revealed during a press conference by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar alongside senior poll officials.
Assembly Tenure and Election Context
The term of the current 70-member Delhi Legislative Assembly ends on February 23, necessitating the elections to form a new House. Historically, Delhi has conducted its assembly elections in a single phase.
Key Political Battle
The elections will see the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, seeking a third consecutive term. The BJP, meanwhile, is making a concerted effort to reclaim power in the national capital. The Congress, which previously allied with the AAP during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is contesting independently this time, targeting both the BJP and AAP.
Chief Election Commissioner Highlights Voter Milestone
During the announcement, Chief Election Commissioner Kumar highlighted India’s growing voter base, stating that the country is nearing a historic milestone of one billion registered voters.
“Electoral rolls were released yesterday. We are crossing 99 crore voters… We are going to be a nation of one billion voters very soon, which will be another record in voting,” Kumar said.
He also noted that 2024 has been a significant year for global democracy, with two-thirds of the world’s population participating in various elections.
Upcoming Delhi Assembly Elections
The upcoming polls are expected to witness a high-stakes contest between Delhi’s prominent political parties. The results will determine whether the AAP retains its dominance or if the BJP or Congress can secure a shift in the political landscape of the national capital.
Here are the key points of the news:
- Election Schedule: Delhi assembly elections will be held in a single phase on February 5, with vote counting scheduled for February 8.
- Assembly Term: The current 70-member Delhi Legislative Assembly’s term ends on February 23, requiring the elections to form a new House.
- Political Contest:
- The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Arvind Kejriwal, is seeking a third consecutive term.
- The BJP is making a strong push to reclaim power in the national capital.
- The Congress is contesting independently, targeting both AAP and BJP.
- Voter Milestone: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced that India is nearing the milestone of one billion registered voters, with electoral rolls showing over 99 crore voters.
- Global Democratic Context: Kumar highlighted that 2024 has been a significant year for democracy worldwide, with two-thirds of the global democratic population participating in elections.
