Delhi: Out of 1 cr voters, 31 pc vote

DISMAL TURNOUT: This year 31 per cent of Delhi's one crore voters exercised their franchise.

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Keywords: Voter Turnout , Polls

New Delhi: The fate of 2,500 candidates was sealed on Thursday as Delhi voted for a new municipal corporation.

With the ghost of sealing looming large over the electoral fight that is being seen as a prelude to the Assembly polls next year, the Capital witnessed a dismal voter turnout at the MCD elections.

Before the elections Delhiites went to town demanding their rights and offering solutions to the problems plaguing the city but when it came to exercising their franchise all the city witnessed was empty polling booths, idle voting machines and bored polling agents.

This year 31 per cent of Delhi's one crore voters cast their vote while last year 45 per cent exercised their franchise. In the first two hours of polling, only 7.5 per cent Delhiites had turned out to cast their vote.

Some instances of rigging were reported and the Election Commission has ordered a re-poll in three booths of North and West Delhi. Counting for the polls will be done on Saturday.

After the polling was over it did not seem as if Delhi was hoping was a better municipal corporation.

“What difference will it make? Nothing is going to change,” said a student, Reena Malhan.

On the other hand, Delhiites like Sumit Mukharji who knows what needs attention in his locality but on election day he had other ideas on his mind.

“Nobody told me who they are and what they plan to do then why should I vote for any of them?” asked Mukharji.

However, there were some who had more faith in the system.

“Get my colony regularised. I did vote but my house has no sewage system,” said Ram Pyari from Masoodpur village.

While Rahul Kwatra, a central Delhi businessman hoped that his vote will make a difference in electing the ‘right’ candidates.

“Our business was affected by the sealing drive. Vote for someone who will help you,” said Kwatra.

Some enthusiasts like Kanika Gupta even said, “We will teach our child to exercise her franchise.”

(With inputs from Neha Seth and Arunima)