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Between 48 to 50 per cent polling in Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 01: An estimated 48 to 50 per cent of 84.48 lakh voters of delhi today exercised their franchise to decide political fate of 817 candidates at 70 assembly constituencies amid tight security that ensured by and large peaceful polling.
New Delhi, Dec 01: An estimated 48 to 50 per cent of 84.48 lakh voters of delhi today exercised their franchise to decide political fate of 817 candidates at 70 assembly constituencies amid tight security that ensured by and large peaceful polling.
Significantly, the voter turnout is around the same percentage witnessed in the last 1998 assembly elections but drastically less from 65.75 per cent in the 1993 polls.
Among the leaders whose political fate was sealed in electronic voting machines (EVMs) are Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, her four ministerial colleagues, BJP's chief ministerial candidate Madan Lal Khurana and assembly speaker Subhash Chopra.
Amidst trading of charges by Congress and BJP over poll-related "irregularities" and clashes between workers of the two parties at a few places, balloting was conducted in a by and large peaceful environment.
Polling was dull in the morning but picked up as the day progressed. City areas witnessed low turnout against the rural counterparts.
Some of the 15,000 EVMs used for the polling malfunctioned affecting polling temporarily.
"Polling was by and large peaceful in Delhi, barring some stray incidents of clashes," Deputy Election Commissioner A N Jha said.
He said a report about firing in Mehrauli had turned out false as had a report about a presiding officer taking bribe in Nasirpur constituency.
A clash took place in Moti Nagar constituency, where Khurana is pitted against Congress' Alka Lamba, towards the end of polling but it did not affect the balloting process, Jha said.
Both Congress and BJP accused workers of each other of "terrorising" the voters and lodged complaints with the Election Commission authorities and police.
Congress, which has 52 members in the current assembly, is seeking to retain power.
BJP, which lost power in 1998 polls due to onion crisis and managed only 14 seats against previous 58, is seeking a comeback.
Altogether 9008 polling stations had been set up across the capital, with 29 of them being classified as "hyper-sensitive and another 211 as "sensitive".
Over 35,000 policemen were deployed for poll duties and additional 20,000 kept on stand by to meet any untoward situation.
Police personnel were maintaining vigil along the state borders to prevent anti-social elements from entering the capital to affect the poll process.
The Election Commission had deployed special police teams accompanied by videographers to keep a close watch on the conduct of candidates and their parties to prevent use of inducements to woo voters, especially the poor people. Bureau Report
Among the leaders whose political fate was sealed in electronic voting machines (EVMs) are Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, her four ministerial colleagues, BJP's chief ministerial candidate Madan Lal Khurana and assembly speaker Subhash Chopra.
Amidst trading of charges by Congress and BJP over poll-related "irregularities" and clashes between workers of the two parties at a few places, balloting was conducted in a by and large peaceful environment.
Polling was dull in the morning but picked up as the day progressed. City areas witnessed low turnout against the rural counterparts.
Some of the 15,000 EVMs used for the polling malfunctioned affecting polling temporarily.
"Polling was by and large peaceful in Delhi, barring some stray incidents of clashes," Deputy Election Commissioner A N Jha said.
He said a report about firing in Mehrauli had turned out false as had a report about a presiding officer taking bribe in Nasirpur constituency.
A clash took place in Moti Nagar constituency, where Khurana is pitted against Congress' Alka Lamba, towards the end of polling but it did not affect the balloting process, Jha said.
Both Congress and BJP accused workers of each other of "terrorising" the voters and lodged complaints with the Election Commission authorities and police.
Congress, which has 52 members in the current assembly, is seeking to retain power.
BJP, which lost power in 1998 polls due to onion crisis and managed only 14 seats against previous 58, is seeking a comeback.
Altogether 9008 polling stations had been set up across the capital, with 29 of them being classified as "hyper-sensitive and another 211 as "sensitive".
Over 35,000 policemen were deployed for poll duties and additional 20,000 kept on stand by to meet any untoward situation.
Police personnel were maintaining vigil along the state borders to prevent anti-social elements from entering the capital to affect the poll process.
The Election Commission had deployed special police teams accompanied by videographers to keep a close watch on the conduct of candidates and their parties to prevent use of inducements to woo voters, especially the poor people. Bureau Report