Allegations of misconduct and tensions escalate across Delhi polling stations on Election day

The Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 have seen significant allegations and claims between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). AAP MP Sanjay Singh accused BJP workers of distributing money to influence voters at booth no. 27, located near Rashtrapati Bhavan, a sensitive area due to its proximity to key government offices. Singh claimed that the BJP workers fled the scene when he arrived. However, the Delhi Police later issued a statement clarifying that no substantial evidence was found to support the allegations of money distribution.

In addition to these claims, AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, raised concerns about the integrity of voting, accusing BJP of orchestrating fake voting. The controversy escalated when a Booth Level Officer (BLO) from Seelampur, Gayatri, confirmed a disturbance at the Aryan Public School polling booth. According to Gayatri, the incident involved an individual casting a vote on behalf of another person, which led to police intervention at the booth. The authorities have since deployed additional police forces at the site to ensure proper election conduct and to maintain order.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) took preventive measures to safeguard the election process, issuing a notification on February 5, banning the conduct, publication, or publicizing of exit polls between 7 am and 6:30 pm. This directive aims to ensure that voters are not influenced by premature results or biased exit poll data during the voting hours.

AAP’s Greater Kailash candidate, Saurabh Bharadwaj, also voiced concerns about the election process, specifically questioning the Delhi Police’s actions. Bharadwaj confronted police personnel who had set up barricades around polling booths, suggesting that their placement was intended to disturb voters, particularly in rural and suburban areas. He claimed that these measures were designed to influence voter turnout in these areas and disrupt the election process, urging the authorities to remove such obstructions to ensure a free and fair election.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, in response to AAP's allegations, dismissed them as baseless and accused AAP of looting the city. Tiwari also emphasized that BJP had not engaged in any form of bribery or distribution of liquor to influence voters. He urged citizens to participate in the election, stating that the people of Delhi should vote in large numbers to ensure the proper functioning of the city. Additionally, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife cast their votes at the CPWD Service Centre in North Avenue. They were presented with saplings and a portrait by students..