Delhi Election 2025: With just two days left for the Delhi Assembly elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of planning to manipulate Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to create discrepancies in 10% of the votes.
In a video statement, Kejriwal said, "People say, ‘Kejriwal ji, we vote for you, but we don’t know where our votes go. Be careful with the machines (EVMs), these machines are highly compromised.’ I would like to tell the people of Delhi that, based on sources, I have learnt that they (BJP) can cause discrepancies in 10% of the votes through machines. Vote in such large numbers that every vote goes to 'jhaadu' (AAP). If we have a 15% lead, we will win by 5%. Give us a lead of more than 10% everywhere so that we can win over their machines. This is the only way to tackle EVMs—by voting in large numbers.”
To counter any alleged manipulation, Kejriwal announced the launch of a website that would provide real-time updates on polling day. "Learning from the Maharashtra and Haryana elections, we have decided that on the night of February 5, we will upload six details of every polling booth so that the machines cannot be tampered with," he said.
These details will include the polling booth’s name or number, the presiding officer’s name, the control unit ID, the total number of votes polled, the charged percentage of EVM batteries, and the names of party polling agents. "If they cause any discrepancy on the day of counting, you can match the numbers. We have to ensure their manipulations are prevented in the Delhi polls. If we have to defeat their EVM game, each vote has to go to 'jhaadu' (AAP),” he added.
Delhi Election 2025: Kejriwal Alleges BJP Hooliganism, Vote Buying
Earlier in the day, Kejriwal claimed that the BJP was set to misuse the Delhi Police and resort to hooliganism to disrupt the elections. He alleged that BJP workers would attempt to buy votes by visiting slum dwellers with a box, falsely claiming to be from the Election Commission of India (ECI).
"They will come to you, especially to our poor communities, with a box and say they are from the ECI. They will ask you to put your vote in it, mark your finger with black ink, and then offer you Rs 3,000-4,000. The ECI never conducts voting at home. Do not fall for this deception. This is a massive fraud they are planning. I have received calls from several slum areas stating that they will take away votes by marking people’s fingers with black ink to ensure they cannot vote at the polling booth. If they try to put a mark on your finger, do not allow them," he claimed.
He further alleged that if the BJP came to power, it would demolish slums, citing the Dharavi redevelopment project in Mumbai as an example. "Selling your vote would be like signing your own death warrant," he told voters.
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Delhi Election 2025: AAP Deploys Spy Cameras, Quick Response Teams In Slums
With concerns over alleged electoral malpractices, Kejriwal said that AAP had distributed spy cameras and body cameras among people in slum areas to record any wrongdoing by BJP workers. "We have also formed multiple Quick Response Teams (QRTs) that will reach such locations within 15 minutes to prevent unconstitutional activities and ensure the perpetrators are arrested," he stated.
He accused the BJP of using its "goons" and the Delhi Police to intimidate voters, particularly in slum areas.
As campaigning ended for the February 5 polls, the BJP scheduled 22 roadshows and rallies across Delhi in a last-ditch effort to reclaim power in the capital after more than 25 years. Meanwhile, the ruling AAP remains confident of securing a third consecutive term, banking on its governance model of free welfare schemes. The Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 years until 2013, is striving to regain lost ground after failing to win a single seat in the last two elections.
Delhi will vote on February 5, with results set to be declared on February 8, deciding whether the AAP retains power or if the city witnesses a change in leadership.