Delhi Election 2025 Live Updates: A High-Stakes Battle for the Capital
The Delhi Assembly Election 2025 has reached its climax as the counting of votes began today, February 8, 2025, at 8 AM across 19 counting centers in the national capital. With 70 seats up for grabs, the election is a three-way contest between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Congress. The outcome will determine whether AAP secures a historic third consecutive term or if the BJP makes a triumphant return to power after 27 years.
### **Early Trends and Key Developments**
As of the latest updates, early trends from the Election Commission of India (ECI) show the BJP leading in several key constituencies, including Shahdara, RK Puram, and Vishwas Nagar. The AAP, however, is trailing in many of its strongholds, including New Delhi, where Arvind Kejriwal is facing a tough challenge from BJP’s Parvesh Verma. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi is also trailing in Kalkaji against BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri.
The BJP is currently leading in 8 seats, while AAP is ahead in 5, according to initial trends. Congress, which has been absent from the Delhi Assembly for the past two terms, is leading in just one seat, Badli, where its Delhi president Devendra Yadav is ahead.
### **Counting Process and Security Measures**
The counting process is being conducted under tight security, with 5,000 personnel deployed across the 19 counting centers. Postal ballots were counted first, followed by votes from Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). To ensure transparency, five Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips are being randomly verified in each constituency.
AAP has raised concerns about the Election Commission’s refusal to upload Form 17C, which records booth-wise voting data. Arvind Kejriwal has accused the ECI of withholding this information, prompting AAP to launch its own website to share the data.
### **Key Constituencies and Candidates**
The election features several high-profile contests:
– **New Delhi**: Arvind Kejriwal (AAP) vs. Parvesh Verma (BJP) vs. Sandeep Dikshit (Congress).
– **Kalkaji**: Atishi (AAP) vs. Ramesh Bidhuri (BJP) vs. Alka Lamba (Congress).
– **Jangpura**: Manish Sisodia (AAP) vs. Tarvinder Singh Marwah (BJP) vs. Farhad Suri (Congress).
These constituencies are critical battlegrounds, with AAP banking on its governance record and welfare schemes, while the BJP is emphasizing its development agenda and criticizing AAP’s alleged corruption.
### **Exit Polls and Predictions**
Most exit polls predict a BJP victory, with projections ranging from 43 to 55 seats. AAP is expected to win between 15 and 26 seats, while Congress may secure 0-3 seats. However, AAP leaders have dismissed these predictions, citing past instances where exit polls underestimated their performance.
### **Voter Turnout and Campaign Highlights**
The election saw a voter turnout of 60.5%, with over 9.45 million of the 15.61 million registered voters casting their ballots. The campaign was marked by intense rhetoric, with AAP highlighting its achievements in education, healthcare, and free utilities, while the BJP focused on corruption allegations and the promise of a “double-engine government” for accelerated development.
### **What’s at Stake?**
For AAP, a third term would solidify Arvind Kejriwal’s position as a national leader and validate its governance model. For the BJP, a victory would mark a significant comeback in Delhi after nearly three decades. Congress, meanwhile, is fighting to regain relevance in the capital.
### **Conclusion**
As the counting progresses, the political future of Delhi hangs in the balance. Will AAP’s “politics of honesty and work” prevail, or will the BJP’s “development agenda” resonate with voters? The final results, expected by early afternoon, will provide the answer. Stay tuned for more live updates on this historic election.
*For real-time updates, visit [Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com) or [LiveMint](https://www.livemint.com).*