New Delhi: Voting in the Delhi Assembly elections concluded with a 60% turnout by 6 p.m., as 1.5 crore eligible voters cast their ballots to decide the fate of 699 candidates vying for the 70-member House.

The turnout reached 57.70% by 5 p.m., with polling stations witnessing steady participation throughout the day. The results of the elections, which could alter the political landscape of the national capital, are set to be declared on February 8.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has been in power since 2013, is aiming for a fourth consecutive term, bolstered by its governance track record and welfare schemes. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is striving to return to power in Delhi, hoping to make a comeback after its last rule in 1998.

Polling began at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm.

The North-East district of the national capital continues to lead the way with the highest turnout of 39.51 per cent turnout among all districts.

The lowest turnout of 29.74 per cent was recorded in the Central district of Delhi.

According to the ECI, the South West district recorded a turnout of 35.44 per cent, New Delhi 29.89 per cent, East 33.66 per cent, North 32.44 per cent, North West 33.17 per cent, Shahdara 35.81 per cent, South 32.67 per cent, South East 32.27 per cent and West 30.87 per cent, as of 1 pm.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Union ministers S Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal were among the early voters.

After casting his vote at a polling booth in Moti Bagh, CEC Kumar said everyone has worked very hard for the smooth conduct of polls.

"Today, over 1.5 lakh people are involved in conducting the elections. Preparations have been going on for months. No one should stay home without voting-everyone must cast their vote. I am sure that Delhi will see high voter turnout...Young voters are participating actively, which is encouraging. We have worked very hard to motivate them, as they represent the future of democracy," Kumar said.

Speaking to reporters, BJP candidate from Kalkaji constituency Ramesh Bidhuri said, "PM Narendra Modi wants development in Delhi like it is happening in India. I appeal to my brothers and sisters of Delhi to vote for development, drinking water, repair of broken roads, clean sewer, clean Yamuna river".

BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi appealed to voters to come out in large numbers to vote

"It is not only our right but also our responsibility to vote. People should come out in large numbers to vote. There is no place for violence, dishonesty in democracy. People of the country are honest, and they want the country to be run properly," she said.

Joining the call for voter participation, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said the election is a battle between good and evil.

"This is a battle between work and hooliganism," she said, encouraging citizens to vote for progress and "goodness."

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva also issued an appeal to voters, urging them to support his party's vision of a "clean, well-governed, and prosperous" Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit, who is contesting against AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency, asked Delhiites to vote in large numbers to protect their rights.

Ahead of the polling, Prime Minister Modi urged voters of Delhi to cast their valuable votes in the assembly elections.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged people to vote for those who have done real development in Delhi and not dupe people by making false promises, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked people to remember who committed the biggest scam in Delhi by talking about practising clean politics.

Kejriwal appealed to the voters of Delhi to recognise the importance of their vote in shaping the future of the city.

In a message posted on X, Kejriwal said, "Your vote is not just a button, it is the foundation of your children's bright future. It is an opportunity to provide good schools, excellent hospitals, and a respectable life to every family."

The Delhi Assembly election is being seen as a referendum on AAP's governance model and its leader, Arvind Kejriwal.

The AAP is seeking a third consecutive term, relying on its governance record and welfare schemes while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making a determined push to reclaim the capital after more than 25 years.

The Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 years until 2013, is striving to stage a comeback after failing to win a single seat in the last two elections. (PTI)