Voting for high-stakes Delhi polls underway; over 19% voter turnout in first four hours

By 11 am, the Election Commission reported that 19.95 percent of voters had cast their ballots.

Delhi witnessed an early voter turnout of over 19 percent in the first four hours of polling on Wednesday, with the highest participation recorded in the North East district. Voting is underway at 13,766 polling stations, where 699 candidates are competing for a seat in the 70-member Delhi Assembly. With 1.56 crore eligible voters, the election is set to influence the political future of the national capital.

By 11 am, the Election Commission reported that 19.95 percent of voters had cast their ballots. The highest turnout was in the North East district, where 24.87 percent of voters participated. Babarpur constituency led with 31.30 percent voter engagement. In contrast, Central Delhi saw the lowest turnout at 16.46 percent, with Karol Bagh polling just 11 percent.

Voter turnout across other districts as of 11 am included East Delhi at 20.03 percent, New Delhi at 16.80 percent, North at 18.63 percent, Northwest at 19.75 percent, Shahdara at 23.30 percent, South at 19.75 percent, South East at 19.66 percent, South West at 21.90 percent, and West at 17.67 percent.

Several prominent figures cast their votes early, including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Union Ministers S. Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, as well as Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal were also among the early voters.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar highlighted the extensive preparation behind the election, with over 1.5 lakh people involved in the process. He encouraged all eligible voters to cast their ballots, stressing the importance of participation, especially from young voters who represent the future of democracy.

In the lead-up to the election, political leaders urged voters to turn out in large numbers. BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri, contesting from Kalkaji, appealed to voters to support development, while BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi emphasized voting as both a right and a responsibility.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi framed the election as a battle between "good and evil," urging citizens to choose progress over "hooliganism." BJP president Virendra Sachdeva reiterated the party’s vision for a "clean, well-governed, and prosperous" Delhi under Prime Minister Modi's leadership.

Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit, contesting against Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi, urged voters to protect their rights through active participation. Prime Minister Modi, who had previously called for voter turnout, reiterated the importance of casting votes in shaping the nation’s future.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge appealed to voters to support leaders who have delivered real development in the city, while Rahul Gandhi called for an end to political dishonesty. Kejriwal, in a message posted on X, urged Delhiites to understand the significance of their vote, describing it as a key to providing quality education, healthcare, and a better life for families.

This election is seen as a referendum on AAP's governance model, with Arvind Kejriwal seeking a third consecutive term. Meanwhile, the BJP is determined to reclaim the capital after more than 25 years, and the Congress is hoping for a comeback after failing to win any seats in the previous two elections.

(With inputs from agencies)