MCD polls: 24 L more voters cast ballots as compared to 2007

New Delhi, Apr 15: Call it the 'Dabangg' effect, around 24 lakh more voters today exercised their franchise in Delhi as compared to 2007's figure of nearly 42 lakh.

According to the state election commission, an estimated 55-58 per cent of 1.15 crore voters cast their ballots in the polls. An estimated 66.70 lakh votes were polled in today's election, which is more than 24.35 lakh votes polled in the last MCD polls.

If the polling percentage touches 60 per cent, the number of votes polled could rise to 69 lakh - which is 26.75 lakh more than 2007's figure of 42.35 lakh.

In 2007, 42.78 per cent of 99 lakh voters had exercised their franchise. This time there was an increase of 16 lakh voters in the electoral rolls.

The rise in polling percentage could be attributed to the relentless campaign undertaken by the SEC. Delhi State Election Commission had made several efforts, including a 'Be Dabangg, Be a voter' campaign as part of its campaign to exhort voters to turn out in large numbers.

The campaign has taken its cue from the blockbuster Bollywood movie Dabangg (a bold character), in which Salman Khan essayed the role of police inspector Chulbul Pandey.

PTI