57 per cent voter turnout in Delhi polls

New Delhi, Nov 30 (UNI) Fifty-seven per cent of Delhi's 10.05 million electorate yesterday took part in the polling for 69 out of 70 Assembly seats, which passed off peacefully, barring stray incidents of violence, Delhi's Chief Electoral Office confirmed today.

As polling figures from Keshavpuram and Bhatti mines came late, it was difficult to give a final figure on voter turnout last night, the office said. It was being estimated earlier that more than 60 per cent of the electorate cast their votes in the polls.

Giving details, it said while the highest turnout of 63 per cent was recorded in South West district, lowest was in South-East with 55 per cent.

It said overall polling percentage went up in both rural and urban areas, compared to last elections, which had a voter turnout of 53 per cent.

The fate of 863 candidates in the fray, including 352 independents, was sealed in the ballot boxes.

Election to the Rajinder Nagar seat has been postponed to December 13, following the demise of BJP candidate and sitting MLA Puran Chand Yogi.

Four FIRs were lodged in Mandir Marg, Mehrauli, Khayala and Sangam Vihar areas, relating to minor disputes and violation of the Arms Act.

There were no confirmed reports of any booth capturing and that the electoral office has referred the complaints to the Election Commission.

There were ten complaints of malfunctioning of electronic voting machines, four of which had to be replaced and rest had start-up problems.

During polling, while clashes broke out between political groups in Khayala area of Rajouri Garden and Tughlakabad, in which 22 people were injured, a EC sector officer was assaulted in Wazirpur's AC 17 consituency.

Counting of votes will be taken up on December eight.

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