NEW DELHI, Feb 5: Among the early voters as polling commenced for the Delhi Assembly elections on Wednesday were President Droupadi Murmu, Union ministers S Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi.
Other notable figures to cast their votes included Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, AAP leader and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, and Delhi Chief Electoral Officer R Alice Vaz. AAP’s Greater Kailash candidate Saurabh Bharadwaj, BJP’s Karawal Nagar candidate Kapil Mishra, Congress’ New Delhi candidate Sandeep Dikshit, and Kalkaji candidate Alka Lamba followed suit, voting shortly after polling began at 7 am.
After voting, LG Saxena remarked, “It is a festival of democracy. I urge all Delhiites to partake in this celebration. Today signifies duty, not a holiday.”
Jaishankar noted, “I have always been an early voter and a Delhi voter. The community is poised for change.”
Delhi CM and AAP’s Kalkaji candidate, Atishi, offered prayers at the Kalkaji temple prior to casting her vote.
“This election represents a struggle between good and evil. It is a contest between constructive work and hooliganism,” she stated.
“I have cast my vote for a better Delhi and improved living conditions for people. I urge voters to prioritize better education, health care, and other vital services,” stated AAP candidate from Jangpura, Manish Sisodia.
With approximately 1.56 crore eligible voters, the capital is experiencing a triangular contest among the ruling AAP, BJP, and Congress.
While the AAP aims for a third consecutive term, the BJP and Congress are looking to make a strong comeback in Delhi.
Polling is currently ongoing at 13,766 stations across Delhi’s 70 assembly constituencies to determine the fate of 699 candidates. The results will be announced on February 8. (Agencies)
