New Delhi, February 8 As Delhi heads to the polls for its 70 Assembly seats, the voter turnout reached 46.55% by 3 PM, with North-East Delhi recording the highest polling percentage of 52.73%. This region, a key battleground, falls under the parliamentary constituency of BJP MP Manoj Tiwari.
Amidst the intense electoral battle, allegations of fake voting in Seelampur sparked a heated clash between AAP and BJP supporters, further escalating political tensions.
High-Profile Leaders Cast Their Votes
Several prominent political figures exercised their voting rights early in the day, setting the stage for a crucial electoral showdown.
President Droupadi Murmu, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Delhi CM Atishi have all cast their votes.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, along with her mother Sonia Gandhi, husband, and son, also turned up to vote together.
AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal arrived with his parents in wheelchairs, emphasizing the importance of every citizen’s vote.
The high voter participation of political heavyweights underscores the significance of these elections, which will determine the next government in the national capital.
Clashes in Seelampur Over Alleged Fake Voting
Tensions flared at a polling booth in Seelampur, where BJP workers accused AAP of facilitating fake voting by women in burqas. This led to a heated confrontation between party supporters, causing chaos at the polling station.
BJP Allegations:
The party alleged that unauthorized voting was conducted using burqas as a cover, allowing fake voters to cast ballots multiple times.
Election Commission’s Response:
A Booth Level Officer (BLO) at the site acknowledged that votes were cast under incorrect names, confirming irregularities.
Delhi Police Investigation:
However, the Delhi Police, after a preliminary probe, stated that the confusion arose due to multiple voters with similar names, dismissing BJP’s allegations of deliberate malpractice.
The police are continuing their investigation to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
AAP’s Counterattack: Allegations of Bribery and Voter Manipulation
AAP MP Sanjay Singh countered the BJP’s claims, making serious allegations about voter manipulation.
He accused the opposition of:
Distributing ₹2,000-₹3,000 cash in North Avenue’s N Block to influence voters.
Marking voters’ fingers with ink before they could cast their votes, effectively barring them from participating in the election.
Blaming the Election Commission for failing to act despite these violations happening openly.
Singh’s allegations have added fuel to the already heated political climate, raising questions about electoral transparency and fairness.
The Bigger Picture: A Crucial Election for Delhi
Delhi’s Assembly elections are being closely watched, with both AAP and BJP vying for political supremacy.
Key Factors at Play:
AAP’s Incumbency Will Kejriwal’s governance model continue to resonate with Delhiites?
BJP’s Push for Power Can the party capitalize on national momentum to dislodge AAP?
Voter Turnout Trends A higher turnout typically benefits challengers, making the final polling figures crucial.
