Unraveling the Schedule: Why Delhi's Assembly Election Falls on a Wednesday, Insights from CEC Rajiv Kumar

Delhi's elections are set for February 5, with voters casting their ballots across all 70 constituencies. The results will be tallied on February 8, determining the future leadership of the region.

The Election Commission of India has officially declared the schedule for the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi, with voting set to take place across all 70 constituencies on February 5. The results of this electoral exercise will be announced shortly thereafter on February 8.

During the announcement, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar emphasized that, similar to the recently conducted elections in Maharashtra, the voting in Delhi will occur on a Wednesday. This choice of day aims to encourage maximum participation among voters in the capital.

"The polling is scheduled for February 5, with counting on February 8. We have intentionally selected a Wednesday for the voting day, believing that it will help facilitate participation across the city. Following the counting, the overall election process will be wrapped up by February 10," stated the CEC.

The Election Commission has set January 17 as the final date for candidates to submit their nominations. Candidates will have the opportunity for their nominations to be scrutinized on January 18, with the last date for withdrawal of candidacy being January 20.

In a related development, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar addressed concerns regarding potential voter turnout manipulations, emphasizing that such occurrences are virtually impossible given the rigor of electoral procedures in India.

In the context of the upcoming political landscape, reports have indicated that jailed pro-Khalistan Punjab MP Amritpal Singh is poised to announce the formation of a new political party on January 14. Additionally, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has initiated a substantial outreach campaign to bolster support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming Delhi elections.

In other news, there have been tragic incidents reported in various regions, including the murder of an elderly couple in Punjab’s Bathinda and a road rage incident that went viral, showcasing the multifaceted nature of current societal issues alongside the political climate.

As we approach the polls, the final voter list, published on January 6, indicated that there are 1,55,24,858 registered voters in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, reflecting a modest increase of 1.09 percent since the last election.

The integrity of the electoral process is paramount, with the CEC asserting, "India is the gold standard for elections. It is our collective heritage. There is no room for any misconduct within the commission, and our procedures are thoroughly detailed. We are prepared to impose penalties if any mistakes are made, and we stand ready to accept accountability as well."

The decision to hold elections mid-week, as previously seen in Maharashtra where voting occurred on November 20 with counting on November 23, is a strategic move aimed at addressing urban disinterest in the electoral process. The Chief Election Commissioner reiterated the importance of this timing, stating, "Choosing a Wednesday is a deliberate tactic to mitigate urban apathy and enhance voter engagement." As the elections approach, it remains to be seen how these efforts will translate into voter turnout and political engagement in Delhi.