Delhi Exit Polls 2025: The Delhi Assembly elections are set to take place on Wednesday, February 5, with results on February 8. With 699 candidates vying for 70 constituencies, the Delhi elections are being seen as a referendum on the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) governance model and the future of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress in the national capital. The results will determine if AAP secures a third consecutive term or if the BJP and Congress can make a significant comeback.
AAP, BJP, Congress contest in Delhi
The high-stakes campaigning, which lasted 27 days, featured a fierce contest among the three major parties – AAP, BJP, and Congress. Key issues such as “Sheesh Mahal vs Rajmahal,” the “poisonous Yamuna,” the “Bin Dulhe Ki Barat,” freebies, and personal attacks were central to the campaign. Political heavyweights including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have led the charge in Delhi, making the elections highly charged and competitive. The campaigning also saw intense blame games, with BJP and Congress targeting Kejriwal on issues like the “Sheesh Mahal” and the “liquor scam.”
As the elections unfold, attention also turns to the crucial exit polls. These polls are conducted immediately after voters cast their ballots, aiming to predict the election outcome before the official results are announced.
Delhi Exit Polls Time
In accordance with the Election Commission of India’s guidelines, exit polls will be banned from 7 AM to 6:30 PM on February 5, the day of the Delhi elections. The commission invoked its powers under the RP Act, 1951, to prevent the dissemination of exit poll results during this time.
“In exercise of the powers under sub-Section (1) of Section 126A of the RP Act, 1951, the Election Commission, having regard to the provisions of Sub-Section (2) of the said Section, hereby notifies the period between 7.00 A.M. to 6.30 P.M. on 05.02.2025 (Wednesday) as the period during which conducting and publishing or publicising exit poll by means of the print or electronic media or dissemination in any other manner whatsoever, the result of any exit poll in connection with the aforesaid General and bye elections, shall be prohibited,” said a notice by poll panel on Monday, February 3.
What did Exit Polls predict in 2015, 2020 Delhi Elections
In the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, exit polls largely predicted a return to power for AAP, with most surveys forecasting between 50-61 seats for the party. The BJP, which had won only three seats in 2015, was expected to increase its tally, potentially securing between 10-26 seats. Congress was projected to win 0-2 seats. A party needs 36 seats to form the government in Delhi.
Pollsters such as India Today-Axis My India predicted AAP would secure the highest seat share, ranging from 59-68 seats. Other pollsters, including Jan Ki Baat, News X-Neta, and India News Nation, projected 55 seats for AAP. Times Now, on the other hand, predicted 47 seats for AAP and 23 seats for the BJP. Across the board, pollsters agreed that AAP was likely to win, with no significant challenges from the other parties.
The results of the 2020 exit polls were largely accurate, with AAP winning 62 seats and the BJP securing just eight. This was a far more accurate prediction compared to the 2015 exit polls, which had widely underestimated AAP’s landslide victory. In 2015, AAP won a historic 67 out of 70 seats, while exit polls had predicted the party would secure around 40 seats.
NOTE: Exit polls are not always accurate. The only official and reliable source for election results is the Election Commission of India.