The results for the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections are set to be announced on Saturday, February 8, marking a pivotal moment in the Capital’s political landscape. The election, held in a single phase on February 5, saw over 15 million eligible voters casting their ballots across 70 Assembly constituencies.
A total of 699 candidates, including 603 male and 96 female contenders, vied for the electorate’s mandate.
The stakes are high as the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seeks a fourth consecutive term, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims to reclaim power after nearly 27 years. The Congress, once a dominant force in Delhi politics, is hoping to regain some lost ground.
Key details: Vote counting and result announcement
- Counting begins: 7 am on February 8
- Initial trends: Expected by 8 am
- Final results: Likely by 6 pm
- Real-time updates: Available on the Election Commission of India websites – eci.gov.in and results.eci.gov.in
The counting process will be conducted under strict security and transparency measures. 5,000 personnel have been deployed to ensure a smooth and fair counting process.
The Returning Officer (RO) in each constituency will oversee the process, which includes the counting of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) votes and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips.
Five VVPATs from each constituency will be randomly selected for verification to ensure accuracy.
The counting process: Step-by-step
- Opening of strong rooms: The process begins at 7 am when the strong rooms containing EVMs are opened in the presence of candidates and their representatives.
- Postal ballots: Counting of postal ballots starts at 8 am, followed by EVM votes 30 minutes later.
- EVM counting: The control unit of each EVM is checked for seals and unique IDs. Votes are tallied and recorded in Form 17C.
- VVPAT verification: VVPAT slips from five randomly selected polling stations in each constituency are verified to ensure accuracy.
- Declaration of results: The RO compiles the final result sheet and declares the winner, who is issued a certificate of victory.
In case of a tie, the winner is decided by a draw of lots. A recount can be demanded by a polling agent if irregularities are suspected.
Key candidates and constituencies
The election has seen high-profile contests in several constituencies, with prominent leaders from AAP, BJP, and Congress locking horns:
New Delhi constituency:
Arvind Kejriwal (AAP): The former chief minister and AAP’s face.- Parvesh Verma (BJP): A prominent BJP leader.
- Sandeep Dikshit (Congress): A former MP and Congress heavyweight.
Kalkaji constituency:
- Atishi (AAP): A key AAP leader and education reform advocate.
- Alka Lamba (Congress): A former AAP member turned Congress leader.
- Ramesh Bidhuri (BJP): A BJP MP known for his fiery speeches.
Jangpura constituency:
- Manish Sisodia (AAP): Deputy Chief Minister and AAP’s second-in-command.
- Tarvinder Singh Marwah (BJP): A BJP candidate with a strong local presence.
- Farhad
Suri (Congress): A senior Congress leader.
Shakur Basti constituency:
- Satyendar Jain (AAP): A former minister and AAP stalwart.
- Karnail Singh (BJP): A BJP candidate with a focus on local issues.
Exit polls and projections
Exit polls have painted a mixed picture, with most predicting a BJP victory after nearly three decades. However, some projections suggest a close contest between the BJP and AAP, while the Congress is expected to play a minor role.
- BJP projections: 35 to 49 seats
- AAP projections: 21 to 37 seats
- Congress projections: Up to 3 seats
A party needs 36 seats to form a majority in the 70-member Delhi Assembly. The BJP, which last governed Delhi in 1998, is projected to emerge as the single largest party, while AAP is expected to face a significant setback. The Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 years until 2013, is hoping to recover from its dismal performance in the last two elections, where it failed to win a single seat.
Will AAP secure a fourth term or will BJP make a comeback?
The 2025 Delhi Assembly elections are a crucial test for both AAP and BJP. AAP, led by Arvind Kejriwal, has been in power since 2015, winning 67 seats in 2015 and 62 seats in 2020. A victory would solidify Kejriwal’s position as Delhi’s leader and boost his national political profile. However, exit polls suggest that AAP may fall short of a majority, with the BJP poised to make a comeback.
The BJP, under the leadership of Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, has campaigned aggressively, focusing on issues like pollution, water shortages, and infrastructure. The party has also accused AAP of corruption and mismanagement, while AAP has blamed the central government for obstructing its work.
The Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi, has attempted to revive its fortunes by highlighting issues like the Yamuna water crisis and corruption allegations against AAP. However, the party’s prospects remain bleak, with most exit polls predicting a marginal presence in the Assembly.
Controversies and allegations
The election has been marred by controversies, with AAP accusing the BJP of attempting to poach its candidates by offering Rs 15 crore and a ministerial position. Delhi’s Lt Governor VK Saxena has ordered an anti-corruption branch probe into the allegations. The BJP, in turn, has demanded that AAP retract its accusations or face legal action.
Implications of the results
For AAP:
A loss in Delhi could weaken AAP’s position in other states like Punjab, Gujarat, and Goa.
The party’s national ambitions may suffer a setback, with its focus likely to shift back to Delhi.
For BJP:
A victory would mark the BJP’s return to power in Delhi after 27 years, ending AAP’s dominance.
The party’s success in Delhi could bolster its position ahead of assembly elections in Bihar and ther states.
For Congress:
An improvement in its performance could provide a much-needed morale boost.
The party may use AAP’s potential loss to regain its foothold in Delhi and other states.
A historic moment for Delhi
The 2025 Delhi Assembly elections are a historic moment for the capital, with the potential to reshape its political landscape. As the counting of votes begins on February 8, all eyes will be on the results to see whether AAP can secure a fourth term or if the BJP will make a triumphant comeback. The Congress, though a minor player, will be hoping to stage a revival. Whatever the outcome, the results will have far-reaching implications for the future of Delhi and Indian politics.
Check out the latest news about Delhi Elections 2025, including key constituencies such as Kalkaji, Karol Bagh, Tilak Nagar, New Delhi, Laxmi Nagar, Badarpur, Ghonda, Krishna Nagar, Model Town, Rithala, Trilokpuri, Najafgarh, and Matia Mahal.