The Election Commission of India (ECI) will announce the schedule for the Delhi Assembly elections today, January 7, at 2 PM during a press conference. With the term of the 70-member Delhi Assembly ending on February 23, elections must be conducted soon to form the next government.

In 2020, the election schedule was unveiled on January 6, followed by polling on February 8 and counting on February 11. This year’s schedule is expected to follow a similar timeline.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Arvind Kejriwal, is aiming for a third consecutive term, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is intensifying its efforts to wrest power in Delhi. The Congress, once the ruling party in the capital for 15 years, is looking to stage a comeback and has promised a strong challenge.

AAP has maintained a stronghold in Delhi, securing 67 seats in 2015 and 62 seats in 2020. The BJP has struggled to breach double digits in both elections, while Congress failed to win any seats in the last two assembly polls.

Despite being allies in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections under the INDIA bloc, AAP and Congress will contest the Assembly elections independently.

This election comes amid significant political developments. Arvind Kejriwal resigned as chief minister in September after securing bail in the liquor policy case. AAP has since promised his return if Delhi’s electorate reinstates their trust. Meanwhile, the BJP is focusing its campaign on allegations of corruption against AAP, hoping to capitalize on public discontent.

AAP has already declared its full slate of 70 candidates, making it the first major party to do so. On Sunday, the party released its fourth and final list of 38 candidates. Arvind Kejriwal will contest from the New Delhi constituency for the fourth consecutive time, while Chief Minister Atishi is set to defend her seat in Kalkaji.