The counting of votes for the Delhi assembly elections is set to take place on Saturday, with all eyes on whether the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will secure a fourth consecutive term or if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will make a dramatic return to power in the national capital after 27 years.
The Congress, which has struggled in the past two elections, is hoping for a comeback, especially after failing to secure any seats in 2015 and 2020.
The counting process will start at 8 am, with early trends expected to come in soon after. According to the Election Commission, 60.54% of eligible voters cast their ballots on Wednesday.
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva has confidently claimed that his party will win nearly 50 seats, while AAP has dismissed exit poll predictions and is adamant about forming the government again, with Arvind Kejriwal set to become Chief Minister for the fourth time.
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Alice Vaz, stated that around 5,000 personnel, including supervisors and trained staff, will be overseeing the vote counting on Saturday. To ensure transparency, five VVPATs (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails) will be randomly selected from each constituency.
As the final count approaches, an escalating controversy has emerged regarding AAP’s allegations that the BJP attempted to poach its candidates by offering Rs 15 crore and a ministerial berth. Lt. Governor VK Saxena ordered an anti-corruption branch (ACB) probe into the matter. AAP has accused the BJP of using exit poll predictions to create psychological pressure while attempting to undermine its candidates.
In response, the BJP has demanded that AAP retract its allegations and issue an apology, threatening legal action if the charges are not withdrawn. On the other hand, Delhi BJP General Secretary Vishnu Mittal has formally requested an ACB inquiry into AAP’s claims.
Kejriwal, addressing party candidates, asserted that AAP would retain power and accused the opposition of trying to destabilize the party with exit poll manipulation. Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai indicated that internal reports show the party is likely to secure more than 50 seats, with tight contests on around 7-8 seats.
In the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections, AAP achieved a resounding victory, winning 67 out of 70 seats, and again secured a decisive mandate in 2020, winning 62 seats. A victory now would solidify Kejriwal’s hold on the Delhi political landscape and boost his national profile.
For the BJP, a win would not only mark its return to power in Delhi after nearly three decades but also break AAP’s long-standing dominance.
Meanwhile, Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 years until 2013, is hoping for a resurgence after suffering setbacks in the last two elections.
