GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 19th Jan. With the Delhi assembly elections slated for February 5, the contest between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is heating up. The stakes are high as the BJP seeks to reclaim power in the capital after 27 years, challenging the incumbent AAP, which has held the reins since 2015. However, the electoral battleground has been overshadowed by allegations of voter list irregularities, sparking a fierce war of words between the two parties.
The controversy was ignited when the AAP accused certain central government leaders, including Members of Parliament, of conspiring to inflate the voters’ list with “fake voters.” In response, the BJP flagged an unusually high number of voter enrolments for individuals aged 80 and above, hinting at potential foul play. These mutual accusations have intensified the political atmosphere, with both sides leveraging the issue to question the other’s credibility.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has sought to address the concerns, emphasizing that the process for updating voter rolls remains stringent and transparent. “The integrity of the electoral process is our top priority,” Kumar stated, dismissing the allegations of manipulation.
Despite these assurances, discrepancies in the voter data have added fuel to the fire. Recent statistics reveal a significant decline in voter registrations in 14 assembly constituencies compared to 2020 figures. Laxmi Nagar has seen a drop of 15,213 voters, falling from 221,651 in 2020 to 206,438 this year. Rohini and Babarpur have also witnessed decreases of 10,437 and 699 voters, respectively.
The most striking decline has been recorded in Delhi Cantt, where voter registrations have plummeted from 129,338 in 2020 to just 78,893 this year—a decrease of 50,445, the largest across the capital. Similarly, the New Delhi constituency has seen a sharp decline of 36,879 voters.
Amidst these declines, certain constituencies have defied the trend. Okhla has added an impressive 44,432 new voters, while Badarpur has seen an increase of 41,229. These figures highlight a complex voter landscape in Delhi, with significant variations across constituencies.
The reasons behind the fluctuations remain unclear. Experts point to factors such as urban apathy toward voting, migration, and demographic shifts as possible contributors. Historical trends also suggest that weather conditions and polling schedules could impact voter registration and turnout.
As the battle for Delhi intensifies, the allegations over voter list manipulation are likely to remain a key flashpoint, reflecting the high stakes of this election. With both the AAP and BJP vying for the confidence of the electorate, the integrity of the voting process will undoubtedly be a focal point of public and political discourse in the days ahead.
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