As the tense assembly elections approach, party leader Arvind Kejriwal declared on Friday that if the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regains power in Delhi, funds will be provided to Resident Welfare Associations (RWA) to recruit private security guards. In an attempt to win over the people amid concerns about anti-incumbency, the ruling AAP, which is aiming for a third consecutive term, has unveiled a number of programs and grants.
The party has declared that it will expand its welfare-driven campaign by providing ₹2,100 monthly honoraria for women, free healthcare for the elderly, and ₹10 lakh insurance for drivers. This is in addition to the existing programs and schemes, such as renovated government schools, mohalla clinics, and free electricity, which continue to be its USP, as well as free bus rides for women and grants for senior citizen pilgrimages.
In a triangular struggle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress hoping to prevent the AAP from winning a third consecutive term, voting for all 70 assembly seats in Delhi is scheduled for February 5 and the vote count is scheduled on February 8. Nominations must be submitted by January 17 in order for them to be reviewed by January 18. Nominations may be withdrawn by candidates up to January 20.
“It is a single-phase election… We have deliberately kept polling on a Wednesday so more people come out to vote… like we did in Maharashtra. The entire election process will be completed by February 10,” Kumar told a press conference. He denied claims that the voters’ list had been cleared of eligible voters’ names. No deletion can take place without comprehensive documentation, field verification, and providing the concerned party with a chance to be heard, according to CEC Rajiv Kumar.
Kumar emphasised that the process for additions and deletions is transparent, rigorous, and immune to arbitrary changes. Of the 70 seats in Delhi, 58 are general and 12 reserved. According to the electoral roll, Delhi has 1.55 crore voters — 83.49 lakh men, 71.74 lakh women and 1,261 transgender persons.
