Vote Counting Begins for Delhi Assembly Elections Amid Political Tensions

The culmination of a months-long political battle between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Congress is set to unfold as the counting of votes will begin for the Delhi Assembly polls on Saturday.

Authorities have increased security measures as the vote counting process for the 70-member Delhi Legislative Assembly is scheduled to commence. Visuals have shown security personnel deployed outside various counting centres in Delhi.

Meanwhile, exit polls have predicted a comfortable victory for the BJP in the polls, with AAP falling behind and Congress continuing its dismal performance. However, AAP leaders have stated that exit polls have always underestimated the party's seat count, expressing confidence in a successful return to power.

Key constituencies include New Delhi, where AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is contesting against Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit and Parvesh Verma of the BJP. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi is facing BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress candidate Alka Lamba.

The campaign has seen sharp exchanges between leaders of the three parties.

The Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi, on Friday, refuted claims made by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, who alleged that the Election Commission (EC) had not provided booth-wise voting data for the assembly constituencies. The poll body clarified that the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, had been "complied with in letter and spirit" at every polling station.

"As per Rule 49S of the Conduct of Election Rules 1961, all the Presiding Officers have furnished the account of votes recorded in Form 17C to every Polling Agent present at the polling station on the day of poll, February 5, 2025," the Delhi CEO's office posted.

On Friday, Kejriwal alleged that the Election Commission has refused to upload Form 17C, which provides booth-wise totals of votes polled in each assembly election. "EC has refused to upload Form 17C and the number of votes polled per booth in each assembly despite several requests. Aam Aadmi Party has created a website where we have uploaded all the Form 17C of every assembly," Kejriwal stated.

The Rule 49S part (1) states, "The presiding officer shall at the close of the poll prepare an account of votes recorded in Form 17C and enclose it in a separate cover with the words 'Account of votes recorded' superscribed thereon." The second part of Rule 49S mandates that the presiding officer shall provide a copy of Form 17C to every polling agent.

"The presiding officer shall furnish every polling agent present at the close of the poll a true copy of the entries made in Form 17C after obtaining a receipt from the said polling agent therefor and shall attest it as a true copy," part (2) of Rule 49S states.