The 8.5 million people of New York — a dazzling mosaic of diversity and dynamism, a place where humanity converges, a city reverberating with the gushing waters of the Hudson River — went to the polls on November 4 to elect their mayor for the next four years. In this mega-metropolis, where over 500 languages echo through the streets, unity thrives amid differences.

From Wall Street’s towers to Queens’ bustling lanes, from Harlem’s heritage to Brooklyn’s creative pulse, this city’s heartbeat is powered by its people — proud, expressive, and unyielding in their faith in democracy.

New York is not merely a city; it is an idea — a living testament to human endurance, ambition, and freedom. It is the window through which the world views American democracy — a stage where citizens, irrespective of race, creed, or colour, determine who governs them through the collective power of their will. Its skylines tell the story of countless dreams — of those who came across oceans seeking opportunity and dignity.

The city also hosts the United Nations, where world leaders, often detached from the anguish of the people they represent, speak of peace and prosperity. Yet it is on New York’s own streets — in the hum of its subways, the resilience of its workers, and the energy of its youth — that democracy truly breathes.

The 2025 mayoral race proved to be one of the most riveting contests in recent memory. While many US cities including New York, Atlanta, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and others held mayoral elections alongside numerous other local contests across the country that day, it was only the New York’s contest that captured global attention.

Over 400,000 early ballots were cast, reflecting an awakened electorate eager to shape their city’s direction. Across boroughs, citizens debated not merely candidates, but the kind of New York they wished to build — fairer, cleaner, safer, and more humane.

The contest featured three principal contenders: Republican activist Curtis Sliwa, Independent candidate and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and........

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