New Delhi:
As the sun sets on February 3, 2025, the high-voltage campaigning for the Delhi Assembly polls will come to an end, marking the beginning of a 48-hour silence period before the voters head to the polls on February 5. This intense electoral battle has seen the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and the Congress party engage in a fierce contest, each making a final push to sway the electorate.
The BJP, determined to reclaim power in Delhi after more than 25 years, has organized 22 roadshows and rallies across the city on the final day of campaigning. This aggressive strategy is part of the BJP’s broader effort to challenge the AAP’s dominance, which has been unyielding since 2015. The AAP, on the other hand, remains confident in its governance model, highlighting its free welfare schemes as a cornerstone of its campaign. The Congress, which once ruled Delhi for 15 years, is striving to regain its lost ground after failing to secure any seats in the last two elections.
Campaign Dynamics and Electoral Preparations
The campaign for the Delhi Assembly polls has been characterized by an unprecedented use of AI-generated spoofs, sharp political jibes, and high-decibel roadshows. The Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct (MCC) mandates that all public meetings, election-related functions, and campaigning must cease 48 hours before the close of polling. This period also prohibits the dissemination of campaign material via cinema, TV, and print media.
The AAP has branded the BJP as “Bharatiya Jhootha Party” (Indian Liar Party) and “Gali Galouch Party” (Abusive Party), while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has retaliated by dubbing the AAP as “AAP-Daa” (disaster) and its chief Arvind Kejriwal as “Ghoshna Mantri” (Minister of Announcements). The Congress has labelled Arvind Kejriwal as “Farziwal” (Fake), adding to the intense war of words.
AI-generated memes and digital campaigns have dominated the narrative, reflecting a new level of political discourse in the battle for Delhi. According to the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), 1.56 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots across 13,766 polling stations on February 5. Among these voters, 83.76 lakh are men, 72.36 lakh are women, and 1,267 are third-gender voters.
To ensure a smooth voting process, the Election Commission has introduced a Queue Management System (QMS) app, allowing voters to check real-time crowd levels at polling stations. Additionally, 733 polling stations have been designated for persons with disabilities. A home voting facility for senior citizens and persons with disabilities has been provided, with 6,980 out of 7,553 eligible voters already casting their votes.
Security and Electoral Infrastructure
To ensure free and fair elections, extensive security measures have been put in place. This includes the deployment of 220 companies of paramilitary forces, 19,000 home guards, and 35,626 Delhi Police personnel. The electoral infrastructure is also well-prepared, with 21,584 ballot units, 20,692 control units, and 18,943 VVPATs ready, including provisions for dummy and Braille ballot papers.
Historically, the AAP has dominated the Delhi Assembly elections, securing 67 seats in 2015 and 62 seats in 2020, while the BJP won three and eight seats, respectively, and the Congress failed to secure any seats. The final results, to be announced on February 8, will reveal whether the AAP retains its hold, the BJP stages a comeback, or the Congress springs a surprise.
