India is bracing for another key electoral event as the national capital, New Delhi, gears up for its assembly elections. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is expected to announce the poll schedule for the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections within the first week of January, potentially on January 6 or 7, according to sources.

Election Preparations Underway

The ECI is reportedly aiming to conduct the elections by mid-February, likely around February 12, ensuring they take place before the retirement of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on February 18. Preparatory meetings have already been held to finalize the roadmap for smooth execution.

The term of the current Delhi Legislative Assembly, which began in February 2020, will officially expire on February 23, 2025. The seventh assembly's final session concluded on December 5, 2024, with the assembly being adjourned sine die. As part of standard pre-election procedures, the ECI is carrying out a special summary revision of the electoral rolls.

Election Timeline and CEC's Retirement

Sources indicate that the ECI initially considered holding the polls after February 18 but revised its plans to ensure the elections are conducted under the supervision of CEC Rajiv Kumar before his retirement. This move underscores the importance of continuity and experienced leadership during this critical period.

Intense Campaigning Across Delhi

Major political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and the Indian National Congress, have already ramped up their election campaigns. Most candidates for the 70-member Delhi Assembly have been announced, and campaigning has reached a fever pitch. The BJP and AAP, in particular, are trading accusations over voter list tampering, intensifying the political drama.

A Look Back: Delhi Assembly Elections 2020

In the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, held on February 8, the AAP, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, achieved a resounding victory, securing 63 out of 70 seats. However, this was a slight decline from their historic 2015 performance when they won 67 seats. The running assembly, framed in 2020, will conclude its term on 22nd February, 2025.

As the announcement of poll dates draws closer, Delhi residents and political parties are gearing up for a crucial electoral contest that will shape the capital's governance for the next five years.