Delhi Elections 2020 LIVE Updates: EC announces voter turnout a day after polls

The 70-seat Delhi Assembly will go to polls on Saturday - February 8. In preparation for its  1.47 crore voters - 81.05 lakh male voters and 66.8 lakh female voters, the Election Commission of India (EC) has set up 13,000 polling stations and deployed 90,000 officials to ensure smooth polling. The term of the current 70-seat Assembly, where AAP holds an absolute majority, will expire on February 22. The results of the elections will be declared on February 11.

Delhi poll campaign

Amid the nation-wide anti-CAA protests, which began from Assam and gained maximum traction in Delhi, the poll campaign by the three contending parties  - Congress, BJP and AAP was intense with 672 candidates in the fray.

While AAP -which has launched mega-campaign roping in poll strategist Prashant Kishor's I-PAC for Arvind Kejriwal's re-election bid spoke on the achievements in the past five years, BJP headlong attacked the AAP and Congress for fuelling the various protests against the amended Citizenship Act (CAA), alleging communal divide among voters. Ranging from JNU and Jamia -where students were attacked to the ongoing protests at Shaheen Bagh,

BJP has accused the Congress and AAP for supporting the 'Tukde Tukde' gang. Several inflammatory remarks were made by BJP leaders - Yogi Adityanath, Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma which have been flagged by EC.

Security arrangement 

• Poll authorities have geared up with QR codes and mobile apps, have deployed tight security arrangements, including paramilitary personnel around Delhi - especially in sensitive polling areas like Shaheen Bagh. 

• Special Commissioner of Police (Intelligence) Praveer Ranjan, had earlier said 190 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will be deployed as part of the security measures. Additional forces will be deployed to bolster the security of EVMs, critical booths, and counting centers. Static surveillance teams and flying squads will also be deployed. 

• Delhi Metro services will begin at 4.00 A.M. to facilitate the polling personnel and others to reach their destination on time. Online activities are being monitored.

2015 Delhi polls and 2020 battle

In a massive political twist, debutant Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) headed by Arvind Kejriwal - which gained fame in the Anna Hazare anti-corruption campaign, snatched Congress' bastion Delhi winning 67 seats. While BJP managed to get 3 seats, Congress was reduced to no seats. In 2013, AAP had formed a government with Congress' outside support, but Kejriwal resigned in February 2014 as he was unable to table the Jan Lokpal Bill, due to stiff opposition.

Building on its massive common-man appeal, the AAP government offered several freebies - free electricity, water, free wifi services, free metro and bus rides for women in the run-up to the elections. Meanwhile, Congress, which is reeling from a leadership vacuum since the demise of Sheila Dikshit is eyeing a comeback at the national capital. BJP, which has not held the Delhi Assembly since 1998 is eyeing to rule at Centre and the national capital - but has not named a CM pick.

AAP which had launched a Kejriwal-centric campaign, aims at crossing the total with its motto "Abki Baar 67 paar" and keeps asking 'Kejriwal v/s Who?'

The national capital Delhi will vote from 8 AM to elect a new government after witnessing a blistering campaign from all parties. While BJP is eyeing to form the government with their campaign around Shaheen Bagh and the drawbacks of CM Arvind Kejriwal, teh ruling Aam Aadmi party (AAP) is eyeing a comeback through by beating their own record of 67. The Congress is the third contender in the elections to be contested by 672 candidates in the fray for 70 Assembly seats. Over 1.47 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise.  Results will be declared on February 11.

Hours before Delhi begins polling on Saturday, security has been tightened.  Delhi Metro services began at 4.00 AM. to facilitate the polling personnel and others to reach their destination on time. 

Voters start arriving at a polling station in Jhandewalan area, in Karol Bagh assembly constituency. AAP has fielded its sitting MLA Vishesh Ravi from here. BJP's Yogendra Chandolia & Congress' Gaurav Dhanak are contesting from here. Voting begins at 8 AM.

(image from ANI)

Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga, BJP candidate from Hari Nagar assembly constituency offers prayers at Fateh Nagar Gurudwara. Voting for Delhi Elections2020 to begin at 8 AM. He is contesting from Hari Nagar constituency against AAP's Rajkumari Dhillon and Congress' Surender Setia.

Delhi Deputy CM and Aam Aadmi Party candidate Manish Sisodia from Patparganj Assembly constituency arrives at Mayur Vihar Phase II to cast his vote. He is contesting against BJP's Ravi Negi and Congress' Laxman Rawat. Speaking to news agency ANI, he said that people of Delhi will vote for better education and future for their children. Taking to Twitter ahead of polls, he said:

"Best wishes to all Delhiites on the great cause of democracy! Today, vote for the good education of your children with a sincere heart. Cast your vote for broom."

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter as voting commenced on Saturday and said that everyone must go and vote. Kejriwal is eyeing a comeback in Delhi polls 2020 and is contesting from New Delhi constituency against BJP's Sunil Yadav and Congress' Romesh Sabharwal. He made a special appeal to the women saying they bear the responsibility of the country and Delhi. 

"Must go to vote. Special appeal to all women - Just as you bear the responsibility of home, so is the responsibility of the country and Delhi. All of you ladies must go to vote and also take the men of your house. Make sure to discuss with men that it is right to vote."

As polling began in the national capital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters to cast their votes in large numbers and participate in the festival of democracy. He said that the voters should make a new record on this day. The Prime Minister addressed two poll rallies in the capital - one at Dwarka and the other at Karkardooma. Home Minister and former BJP chief Amit Shah covered 60 constituencies that comprised 'nukkad sabhas', road shows, workers meet, and BJP chief JP Nadda covered all 70 constituencies. BJP is eyeing a comeback in the national capital after 21 years. 

BJP's Parvesh Verma takes on CM Arvind Kejriwal over his appeal to women voters on Twitter. He criticises Kejriwal saying: "In which century are you? Do you think women are illiterate that they should discuss and then vote?" Kejriwal had earlier taken to twitter and said that women should go in large numbers to vote and should discuss with men at home about who to cast vote for. 

During the election campaign for Delhi polls, Verma was banned for 96 hours by the Election Commission for issuing a statement alleging that "lakhs of anti-CAA protesters in Shaheen Bagh could enter homes to rape and kill women." As soon as his ban was lifted he was seen sharing the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his rally. He was then again banned for the last day of campaigning after he called CM Kejriwal a "terrorist".

As polling began in the national capital, Home Minister and former BJP chief Amit Shah appealed to the people of Delhi to vote to free Delhi from lies and vote-bank politics. Taking to Twitter he said: "Only a government with far-sighted thinking and strong intentions can make Delhi best capital of the world by giving Delhi clean air, clean drinking water, and household to every poor." 

Home Minister and former BJP chief Amit Shah covered 60 constituencies that comprised 'nukkad sabhas', road shows, workers meet, and BJP chief JP Nadda covered all 70 constituencies. BJP is eyeing a comeback in the national capital after 21 years. 

BJP MP Subramanian Swamy took to Twitter and informed that he has cast his vote in Nizamuddin. He said he is impressed by the advancement made by the EC. He took credit of the Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) 

Delhi Election 2020 LIVE: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has cast his vote at the polling station set up at NDMC School of Science & Humanities Education at Tuglak Cresent. After exercising his franchise, he said: "it is basic duty of every citizen to vote. It is important to get out there and contribute."

(image from ANI)

Shaheen Bagh has been the centre of poll campaign in this year's assembly polls. As the Centre passed the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act in December, a massive protest began against it. After firing at Jamia and the subsequent violence, women of the Jamia Nagar and area around sat on a protest at Shaheen Bagh. However, the protest took a political and a communal turn as Congress leaders started visiting the place, issuing remarks against CAA, which the BJP alleged was done to fearmonger. The ruling AAP, at the other hand said that it stands with the protesters of Shaheen Bagh. Meanwhile, BJP leaders resorted to communal politics in name of Shaheen Bagh. AAP's Amanatullah Khan is the sitting MLA from Okhla and 2020 candidate, he is up against Congress's Parvez Hashmi and BJP's Brahm Singh Bidhuri.

Delhi Election 2020 LIVE: Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan along with his mother arrive at Ratan Devi Public School in Krishna Nagar to cast their votes. BJP's Anil Goel and Congress's Ashok Walia contesting from here against AAP's sitting MLA and candidate SK Bagga. He took to twitter to appeal to the people of Delhi to vote in large numbers.

As voting commenced in the national capital, Actor Anupam Kher took to Twitter to make a vote appeal. Sharing his own GIF, he asked people to go and exercise their franchise. 

Alka Lamba casts her vote at polling booth number 161 at Tagore Garden Extension. She is up against Prahlad Singh Sahni of Aam Aadmi Party and BJP's Suman Gupta. Speaking to ANI, she said: "Delhi is missing Sheila Dikshit wali Delhi and people will vote for change." She went on to guranty the beautification of Chandni Chowk within 30 March. 

Former AAP MLA from Chandni Chowk, Lamba joined Congress in October last year. Days after she announced she will quit AAP, she was disqualified as a member of the Delhi Assembly by Speaker Ram Niwas Goel under the anti-defection law. It is a homecoming for Lamba who had quit Congress after 20 years in December 2014 to join the AAP. She was then elected as MLA from Chandni Chowk assembly constituency on AAP ticket in 2015. Her relationship with the AAP soured after she protested against a resolution in the Delhi Assembly in December last year demanding that Bharat Ratna awarded to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi be withdrawn over the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Matiala constituency: AAP's Gulab Singh Yadav is up against Rajesh Gehlot of BJP and Sumesh Shokeen of Congress. However, neither the BJPs nor the AAPs candidates are famous contenders. AAP's Gulab Singh dethroned BJP's Rajesh Gehlot in 2015. Singh had received 1,27,665 votes, while Gehlot, who is again the candidate from here, received 80,661. Congressman Sumesh Shokeen received a drubbing with 20,284 votes. 

Taking to twitter she shared her picture and said: "go to vote, vote for the party that works for you on the real issues. Vote on work."

As voting commenced in Delhi, National Commission of Women chief Rekha Sharma took to Twitter and urged voters to participate in large numbers in the festival of democracy. 

Delhi Election 2020 LIVE: CM Arvind Kejriwal seeks blessings from family members ahead of reaching the polling booth to cast his vote. Earlier in the morning, Kejriwal's AAP gave a stellar performance in 2015 by winning 67 of the 70 Assembly seats. after roping in poll strategist Prashant Kishor, Kejriwal began a massive IT and Twitter campaign. While he was slapped with a 500 crore defamation notice by BJP for a parody video on BJP Delhi chief Manoj Tiwari, he has also been issued notice by the Election Commission for violating the 'no appeal to caste or communal feelings' clause after he visited Hanuman temple on Feb 7.

Delhi Election 2020 LIVE: CM Arvind Kejriwal cast his vote after seeking blessings from family members. Posting a picture with his family, Kejriwal again urged young voters to participate and strengthen the democracy. Earlier in the morning, Kejriwal's AAP gave a stellar performance in 2015 by winning 67 of the 70 Assembly seats.

President Ram Nath Kovind casts his vote alongside the first lady for the Delhi Assembly polls.  

A groom from Delhi's Laxmi Nagar casts his vote. Dhananjay said that he is at the polling booth to fulfill his responsibility towards the nation. 

As polling began in the national capital, Bollywood actor Taapsee Pannu along with her sister Shagun Pannu stepped out to cast their votes. Taapsee flew to her hometown — Delhi — on Friday with her mother and shared a selfie captioning: "A short break from work to make sure WE VOTE!", and on Saturday, she shared a selfie after casting her vote. 

As per news agency ANI, Election officer Udham Singh who was deployed at a polling booth in Babarpur Primary School in Northeast Delhi died after suffering a heart attack.

BJP MP and National general secretary Dr Anil Jain cast vote with his family. He is a part of BJP's election committee in Delhi. The 15 members includes-Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari, , National vice president Dushyant Gautam, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Vijay Goyal, RP Singh, and Siddharthan. It also includes Ramesh Bidhuri, Pravesh Sahib Singh Verma, Meenakshi Lekhi, Gautam Gambhir, Hansraj Hans, Vijender Gupta, Satish Upadhyay and Poonam Parashar.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi reaches polling booth number 81&82 at Aurangzeb Road to cast his vote. Both Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi joined the campaign trail at Delhi’s Sangam Vihar for the Delhi assembly elections on Tuesday after staying absent for the bulk of its duration.

While Rahul Gandhi stoked a major controversy by saying that youth will hit Prime Minister with sticks, Priyanka also took a dig at the Prime Minister over his allegation that the Shaheen Bagh protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was not a coincidence (“sanyog”) but an experiment (“prayog”) to destroy the nation’s harmony. 

Here is the voter turnout till 10 AM 

As polling began on Saturday in the national capital, Congress leader Ajay Maken has said that his party is contesting the election based on the work done during its fifteen years rule from 1998 to 2013. “15 years of governance in Delhi and 10 years in the centre is in front of the people, I think this is enough to urge people to vote for us,” said Maken. 

Amid polling in the national capital,  Union Minister Smriti Irani has criticised AAP CM candidate Arvind Kejriwal calling him "women-opposer." Kejriwal had earlier taken to twitter and said that women should go in large numbers to vote and should discuss with men at home about who to cast vote for. BJP's Parvesh Verma also criticised him. 

Creating a major controversy on Saturday, Congress' Alka Lamba attempted to slap an AAP worker, after being provoked by him with inappropriate statements.

She exercised her franchise at polling booth number 161 at Tagore Garden Extension. She is up against Prahlad Singh Sahni of Aam Aadmi Party and BJP's Suman Gupta. Speaking to ANI, she said: "Delhi is missing Sheila Dikshit wali Delhi and people will vote for change." She went on to guaranty the beautification of Chandni Chowk within 30 March. 

Former AAP MLA from Chandni Chowk, Lamba joined Congress in October last year. Days after she announced she will quit AAP, she was disqualified as a member of the Delhi Assembly by Speaker Ram Niwas Goel under the anti-defection law. It is a homecoming for Lamba who had quit Congress after 20 years in December 2014 to join the AAP. She was then elected as MLA from Chandni Chowk assembly constituency on AAP ticket in 2015. Her relationship with the AAP soured after she protested against a resolution in the Delhi Assembly in December last year demanding that Bharat Ratna awarded to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi be withdrawn over the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi casts vote and sends a message to voters in Delhi.  Here's what she said:

As a controversy broke out after Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's vote appeal to women, the AAP leader has responded. He has said that the women in Delhi have taken their decision. He said that women have decided who will their family vote for. This comes after Union Minister Smriti Irani targeted Kejriwal alleging sexism in his tweet. Kejriwal had earlier taken to twitter and said that women should go in large numbers to vote and should discuss with men at home about who to cast vote for. 

After BJP, Congress has also targeted Delhi CM Kejriwal for his alleged sexism. Congress leader Sushmita Dev has taken to twitter to say that a woman can decide for herself. Meanwhile, as the controversy broke out after Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's vote appeal to women, the AAP leader has responded. He has said that the women in Delhi have taken their decision. He said that women have decided who will their family vote for. This comes after Union Minister Smriti Irani targeted Kejriwal alleging sexism in his tweet. Kejriwal had earlier taken to twitter and said that women should go in large numbers to vote and should discuss with men at home about who to cast vote for.  

The 70-seat Delhi Assembly which has just finished polling on Saturday - February 8, is projected to be won by AAP, according to the Republic Jan Ki Baat Exit Polls. While the polls saw a meager 55% voter turnout, it witnessed an intense poll campaign by the three contending parties  - Congress, BJP and AAP with 672 candidates in the fray.  The term of the current 70-seat Assembly, where AAP holds an absolute majority, will expire on February 22. 

Delhi Exit polls:

Seat share

AAP is projected to win 48-61 seats defeating the BJP which is projected to win only 9-21 seats. Meanwhile, Congress is projected to win 0-1 seat. Others are projected to win no seats.

AAP: 48-61

BJP: 9-21

Congress: 0-1

Others: 0

Announcing the voter turnout on Sunday, Election Commission said that voting continued till late evening and EVMs had to be stored. The EC officer said that data comes from presiding officers and then it is fed in the system. The voter turnout is 62.59% and in Lok Sabha, it was 60%. He also said that in 2015 assembly polls it was 67%. In the assembly constituency-wise voter turnout, he informed that Ballimaran had the highest turnout that is 71.6%. He informed that turnout in Okhla was 58.84%

BJP MP Gautam Gambhir reached at a polling booth to cast his vote.