New Delhi: The intense 27-day campaigning for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections came to a close on Monday. It was marked by high-pitched debates, personal attacks, and promises of freebies.
Over 30,000 Delhi Police personnel and 220 paramilitary units have been deployed across the city ahead of February 5 voting. The results will be announced on February 8.
AAP vs BJP vs Congress
The polls are increasingly being seen as a referendum on AAP’s governance model and former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. AAP, in government for past 10 years, will strive to secure a third consecutive term, while both BJP and Congress aim to make a comeback. In all 699 candidates are contesting from 70 assembly constituencies in the national capital.
In the final days of campaigning, the political battle saw the parties engage in fierce debate over issues such as freebies, governance, law and order, and allegations and counter allegations. PM Modi, Arvind Kejriwal, and Rahul Gandhi led the campaigning for their parties.
Security arrangements in the city
Special Commissioners of Police, Madhup Tewari (Zone-II) and Ravindra Yadav (Zone-I), addressed a press conference outlining the extensive security arrangements for the elections.
“All Delhi Police personnel are committed to ensuring free, fair, and peaceful elections. The pre-poll arrangements have already been made,” said special CP Ravindra Yadav.
Yadav added that there had been record seizures of drugs, liquor, and cash in the run-up to the elections. Nearly 3,000 polling booths have been identified as sensitive, with special security measures in place, including drone surveillance.
“For sensitive booths, additional police forces will be deployed, and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) will be stationed to maintain law and order,” Yadav added.
The Delhi Police are working in coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies to ensure a smooth electoral process.
“More than 30,000 Delhi Police personnel and 220 paramilitary companies will ensure a peaceful election in the national capital. With only 48 hours left until polling day, all stakeholders will ensure robust security arrangements,” Yadav assured.
65 border points have been sealed
Authorities have sealed all 65 border points that Delhi shares with the states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Delhi Police special CP Madhup Tewari provided a detailed breakdown of the measures taken to ensure election integrity. Over 1,000 cases of alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) have been registered, and more than 33,000 individuals have been arrested or detained in connection with legal violations.
“Delhi Police has recorded 1,049 cases of alleged MCC violations and confiscated 462 illegal firearms and 510 cartridges, arresting 482 people under the Arms Act. Additionally, law enforcement agencies have seized 1,08,258 litres of liquor and arrested 1,353 people, along with confiscating 196.602 kg of drugs worth over Rs 77.9 crore,” he said.
January 2025 saw a decline in various crime categories, including a drop in the number of attempted murders, robberies, snatching incidents, and molestation cases compared to the previous year.
Delhi government declares public holiday for February 5
Ahead of polling day, the Delhi government has declared a public holiday on February 5 for all government and private sector offices in the city. This is in line with the General Election to the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
