Delhi Assembly Election Dates Announced: Voting on February 5, Results on February 8

New Delhi: The Election Commission has announced that voting for Delhi's 70 Assembly constituencies will take place on February 5, with results to be declared on February 8. Of the 70 constituencies, 12 are reserved, and over 1.55 crore eligible voters are set to participate in the election.

A total of 13,033 polling stations will be set up to elect members of the eighth Delhi Assembly. The election will be conducted in a single phase, with January 17 as the last date for filing nominations and January 20 as the deadline for withdrawal of candidates. With the announcement of the schedule, the model code of conduct has come into effect in the national capital.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar revealed several measures to enhance voter accessibility, including special arrangements for elderly voters and persons with disabilities. Those above 85 years of age will be allowed to vote from home. He also noted that over 2 lakh first-time voters will participate in this election. Addressing concerns about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Kumar reaffirmed their tamper-proof nature, dismissing allegations of manipulation as baseless.

The political battle is expected to be intense, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) striving for a third consecutive term. AAP leader and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called on party workers to intensify their efforts, describing the election as a contest between "the politics of work and the politics of abuses."

On the other hand, BJP president urged Delhi voters to select a government committed to the city's development. The BJP is making a strong push to dislodge the AAP government, while the Congress is running a solo campaign targeting both the BJP and AAP.

The Election Commission also addressed accusations of voter list manipulation, assuring the public of its rigorous verification process for any additions or deletions.