Almost 46 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the high-stake municipal bypolls for 13 wards in the city on Sunday, which is being seen as a litmus test for popularity for the Aam Aadmi Party
Almost 46 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the high-stake municipal bypolls for 13 wards in the city on Sunday, which is being seen as a litmus test for popularity for the Aam Aadmi Party government after historic mandate in the Assembly elections in s2016. In a triangular contest, the AAP faced a stiff contest from the BJP, which rules the three civic corporations, and the Congress, which is trying to regain lost ground.
Counting of votes will be held on May 17, Tuesday.
According to a senior official of the Delhi State Election Commission, 45.90 per cent of the 6,68,870 voters exercised their franchise in the bypolls, which were held peacefully. “Maximum polling percentage was reported from Bhatti ward where 64 per cent voters exercised their votes and minimum reported from Matiala (33 per cent),” he said.
Polling began at 8 am amid tight security arrangements, especially in north Delhi areas where the Delhi State Election Commission had identified polling stations as more sensitive than in other wards.
“Out of 695 polling stations, about 200 have been identified as sensitive and ultra-sensitive and adequate security arrangements have been made in those areas. Among the three corporations, North Corporation area was found to be the most sensitive for polling,” he said.
A total of 6,68,870 voters were entitled to exercise their franchise in the bypolls for 13 wards — seven wards in South, four in North and two in East — in the three municipal corporations.
The Delhi police, meanwhile, claimed that no untoward incident was reported, except a commotion outside a polling station in Ballimaran, which was controlled. “One EVM in Ballimaran ward did not function in the beginning of polling, but by 8.30 am it was replaced,” Delhi State Election Commissioner Rakesh Mehta said.
Voting in Bhatti, which reported the largest turnout, continued till 6 pm as poll panel allowed people who had entered the polling stations till 5 pm to vote.
As the polls closed, both the BJP and the Congress exuded confidence of an impressive performance and the AAP hoped to replicate its Assembly poll magic in its civic poll debut.
Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay said based on grassroots feedback, the BJP is likely to be the top performer in the bypolls. “Delhi has never seen state election officials shamelessly obliging the Delhi government ministers, MLAs and leaders as we saw today yet with people’s support the BJP will score the best. It was a setback to see election staff allowing free movement in and around polling stations to the AAP leaders,” alleged Mr Upadhyay.
Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken said, “The enthusiastic manner in which the people of Delhi came out to vote clearly showed that they were unhappy with the AAP government and the BJP-ruled MCDs. The results of these bypolls would provide a big surprise as the Congress party will be making huge gains in it.”
AAP’s Delhi convener Dilip Pandey said his party was very optimistic and hopeful that the hard work of its volunteers will yield good results. Mr Pandey, however, did not agree with suggestions that the results of the bypolls will be a test of popularity of the AAP government, saying it was a local affair.
