Delhi Polling Day – 7th February Summary
February 7, 2015
Record polling of over 67.08 per cent marked the day as the fate of 673 candidates got sealed in 20,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Delhi on 7 February, 2015. As per the reports, 89 lakh electorates turned out to vote. The large turnout of voters could be interpreted as Delhi’s desire for a clear mandate. Probably for the first time, the Election Commission extended the voting time beyond 6 pm in view of heavy polling after 3 pm.
It is to be noted that 65.6 per cent turnout could not avoid a fractured mandate in 2013 assembly elections. Whether a larger turnout can make the difference this time and ensure a clear majority for any single party is a matter of speculation. The outcome of 2015 Delhi election would be crucial for the Bharatiya Janata Party as a setback here could bolster the opposition parties in Bihar elections later this year and West Bengal elections in 2016. It is also crucial for the AAP’s survival as a political entity. It is also to be seen whether the Congress manages to improve its 2013 tally of eight seats.
In 2013, there were at least a dozen seats where the winning margin was less than 2000 votes and the AAP had bagged eight of these constituencies. This time though, in one of these fiercely- contested constituencies, RK Puram, where the difference between the BJP’s winning candidate and his nearest AAP rival was just 326 votes last time, many voters complained that their names were missing from the electoral rolls at the polling booths, though their names showed up online. This can prove dear for the BJP. However, the Election Commission claimed that there were no “big issues” with the electoral rolls this time in Delhi.
A clear mandate also depends on the Congress factor. The party had got just 24 per cent votes in 2013 and the percentage further came down to 14% in last general elections in Delhi. If it manages to improve its position from the eight seats that it could win in 2013, then it would have a direct bearing on the fortunes of the AAP and could benefit the BJP. At least in two constituencies from where the Congress had won last time, the contest was tough with the winning margin being just about 2000 or less (In Sultanpur Majra it was about 1,000 votes while in Mustafabad it was just about 2000 votes). A high turnout could well make the difference in these two constituencies and make it tough for the Congress.
Staying true to the past trends, the voting picked up later in the day. The top guns including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung voted early. The BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi created a spectacle when she got out of her SUV and started running in her constituency (Krishna Nagar), suggesting that her run was symbolic of BJP’s “race towards two-third majority” in the national capital.
Although the polling was largely peaceful, allegations and counter allegations by rival parties kept flying throughout the day. While the AAP’s CM aspirant Kejriwal accused Bedi of flouting the norms by canvassing even on the day of polling, Bedi produced a video where the voters apparently confessed that the AAP offered them Rs. 300 for each vote. The BJP candidate against Kejriwal, Nupur Sharma, went on to allege that the AAP workers had manhandled her at Princess Park near the India Gate. In retaliation, Kejriwal accused his rivals of distributing free liquor on the eve of the elections.
The major highlight of the polling day must be the young voters, who turned up early to exercise their franchise. It may be mentioned that this time every fourth voter (among the 1.83 crore) was below the age of 29. There were about 2.27 lakh first-time voters in Delhi this time, which is a significant share of the pie.
In the run up to assembly elections, the political parties had put a distinct effort to woo the minorities and backward classes, either through polarisation or consolidation process. It may be mentioned that in Delhi, 12 seats are reserved for the scheduled castes while Dalits and Muslims dominate in about 18 seats.
Even as the AAP strongholds across Delhi witnessed impressive turnout, voting was relatively low in the New Delhi assembly segment with 64.28 per cent turnout. Kejriwal did not procrastinate in seeking re-election from this constituency. On a similar note, even this turnout was more than the 62.59 per cent registered during 2013 assembly elections.
Krishna Nagar constituency, which has been Kiran Bedi’s launch pad as a BJP candidate, recorded a turnout of 71.97 per cent. Sadar Bazar constituency, from where Congress’ Ajay Maken is contesting elections, saw a polling percentage of 71.71. Seemapuri, Rajouri Garden, Seelampur and Trilokpuri are other constituencies that witnessed over 70 per cent polling.
Among districts, the highest turnout of 69.96 per cent was recorded in North-east district, which ostensibly witnessed a direct fight between the AAP and the BJP. South Delhi witnessed 66 per cent voting. Central Delhi recorded 68.33 per cent turnout, East Delhi 68.70 per cent, New Delhi 64.16 per cent and North Delhi 68.14 per cent. The polling percentage in North-west Delhi was 67.72% while South-west Delhi and West Delhi recorded 65.85% and 68.37% respectively.
The moderate to heavy polling in the AAP strongholds and in communally sensitive areas such as Trilokpuri could well benefit the Broom. But, can the AAP live upto the predictions of the various exit polls and form its government in Delhi? Wait till 10 February.
Comments
Post a Comment