High voltage drama begins- all eyes on for AAP’s hat trick, BJP’s stake, Congress’s comeback in National capital elections
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ January 7,2025
Today, the Election Commission of India (ECI) sounds the poll bugle for high voltage Delhi assembly elections.
While the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is pushing hard for a third consecutive term in this election, the Opposition BJP has gone all out to turn the tables. Also in the fight is the Congress, which is going alone and targeting both the BJP and the AAP — its ally during the Lok Sabha polls.
As per the ECI, over 1.55 crore Delhi voters will vote in the Assembly election on February 5,2025 in a single phase poll and the votes will be counted on February 8,2025. Delhi has 70 Assembly constituencies, 12 of them reserved. A total of 13,033 polling stations will host the election for choosing members of the eighth Delhi Assembly.
According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission the last date to file nominations is January 17,2024 and withdraw candidates is January 20, 2024. With the announcement of the schedule, the model code of conduct is now in force in the national capital.
Election Commission of India (hereinafter ECI) is committed to conduct free, fair, participative, accessible, inclusive and safe election to the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi in exercise of the authority and powers conferred upon under Article 324 read with Article 172 (1) of the Constitution of India and Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
While announcing the schedule at a press meet, Chief Election Commissioner of India Rajiv Kumar said over 2 lakh youngsters will vote for the first time in this election. It also said those above 85 years can cast their vote at home.
The Commission, in order to maximize participation from all strata of society and improve the health of electoral roll has taken all possible efforts including:
Ensure maximum enrolment of vulnerable groups like PwDs, transgender and sex workers by collaborating with reputed CSOs. For example, engage with NACO (National AIDS control organisation) to ensure maximum enrolment of sex workers.
Remove Logical Errors, Demographic Similar Entries and Photo Similar Entries in the electoral roll after following proper field verification and statutory processes.
Focus on the enrolment of young voters especially who attained the qualifying age on 01-01-2025.
Rationalize Polling Stations with due diligence. Each and every polling station has been physically visited by Senior Officers and shifting of polling stations in new and better infrastructure building has also been considered after following due procedures.
Other Government databases like database of Social Welfare Department, NACO/SACO etc. for vulnerable groups of citizens, as benchmark, were considered for enhanced registration of these groups.
Enforce the Assured Minimum Facilities along with accessibility friendly infrastructure for PWDs and senior citizens in the polling stations for which CEO/DEOs have been directed to create permanent infrastructure such as ramps at the polling stations.
Polling Station Locations with three or more Polling Stations have been planned for separate entry and exit so as to avoid any untoward incidences related to any epidemic or public order.
The Commission has encouraged the DEOs to use eco-friendly material and exhibit local culture and art to create Model Polling Stations. Each District should have at least one such Model Polling Station, as far as possible.
List of 85+, PwDs etc. has been prepared and a communication of respect/recognition will be sent to make them feel important part of society.
High voltage drama begins- all eyes on for AAP’s hat trick, BJP’s stake, Congress’s comeback during National capital elections. The Election Commission seeks the active cooperation, close collaboration and constructive partnership of all the esteemed stakeholders in the electoral process and strives to employ the collective synergies towards delivering a smooth, free, fair, peaceful, participative and festive General Election to Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi, 2025.
