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Delhi elections: Millions vote in crucial state polls | Delhi elections: Millions vote in crucial state polls |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Millions of voters lined up through the day to cast their ballots in the Indian capital, Delhi, and the Election Commission had to extend voting hours beyond the closing time. | Millions of voters lined up through the day to cast their ballots in the Indian capital, Delhi, and the Election Commission had to extend voting hours beyond the closing time. |
Officials said the voter turnout was 66% - unusually high for the city. | Officials said the voter turnout was 66% - unusually high for the city. |
The ruling Congress party - which is seeking a fourth consecutive term - and the main opposition BJP are the main rivals for the 70-seat assembly. | The ruling Congress party - which is seeking a fourth consecutive term - and the main opposition BJP are the main rivals for the 70-seat assembly. |
But the new Aam Aadmi (Common Man) Party has emerged as a critical player. | But the new Aam Aadmi (Common Man) Party has emerged as a critical player. |
Led by a former civil servant Arvind Kejriwal, the party was born out of a strong anti-corruption movement that swept India two years ago. | Led by a former civil servant Arvind Kejriwal, the party was born out of a strong anti-corruption movement that swept India two years ago. |
Though both the Congress party and BJP have dismissed talk about the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) being a serious contender, a number of pre-election polls suggest that the new party could upset their calculations. | Though both the Congress party and BJP have dismissed talk about the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) being a serious contender, a number of pre-election polls suggest that the new party could upset their calculations. |
More than 10 million voters were eligible to cast their ballots at 11,753 polling stations in Wednesday's polls. Over 800 candidates are contesting seats. | More than 10 million voters were eligible to cast their ballots at 11,753 polling stations in Wednesday's polls. Over 800 candidates are contesting seats. |
Tens of thousands of police and paramilitary soldiers were deployed to help conduct a peaceful election. | Tens of thousands of police and paramilitary soldiers were deployed to help conduct a peaceful election. |
'Good turnout' | 'Good turnout' |
Long lines of voters outside many polling booths forced the Election Commission to extend voting hours to 19:15 India time (13:45GMT) - the official closing time was 17:00. | |
"It has been a good turnout all over Delhi," the Press Trust of India quoted Delhi's Chief Electoral officer Vijay Dev as saying. | |
In the last assembly polls held in 2008, turnout was 57.58%. | |
Officials said the polling had been "peaceful and there were no reports of any untoward incident". | Officials said the polling had been "peaceful and there were no reports of any untoward incident". |
The AAP and the Congress party have fielded candidates in all 70 constituencies, while the BJP fielded candidates in 66 seats. | The AAP and the Congress party have fielded candidates in all 70 constituencies, while the BJP fielded candidates in 66 seats. |
The Congress campaign has been led by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, 75, who is seeking a record fourth consecutive term in office promising "inclusive development". | |
The BJP's campaign has been led by the chief ministerial candidate Harsh Vardhan, a doctor who has promised to cut electricity costs and bring down rising vegetable prices if voted to power. | The BJP's campaign has been led by the chief ministerial candidate Harsh Vardhan, a doctor who has promised to cut electricity costs and bring down rising vegetable prices if voted to power. |
'Hotly contested' | 'Hotly contested' |
Mr Kejriwal's AAP, which drew big election crowds, has promised to set up a citizens' ombudsman, also known as the Jan Lokpal, cut electricity prices and supply free water, among other things. | Mr Kejriwal's AAP, which drew big election crowds, has promised to set up a citizens' ombudsman, also known as the Jan Lokpal, cut electricity prices and supply free water, among other things. |
Both the Congress Party and BJP see Delhi as critical to its ambitions of winning next year's national elections. | Both the Congress Party and BJP see Delhi as critical to its ambitions of winning next year's national elections. |
Both the parties put up their top leaders, including the BJP's prime-ministerial candidate for next year's general elections Narendra Modi and Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi, to campaign in the Indian capital. | Both the parties put up their top leaders, including the BJP's prime-ministerial candidate for next year's general elections Narendra Modi and Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi, to campaign in the Indian capital. |
But a robust performance by the AAP could upset calculations and even lead to a hung assembly, experts say. | But a robust performance by the AAP could upset calculations and even lead to a hung assembly, experts say. |
The Times of India has called this a "historic" poll and the "most interesting" election Delhi has ever seen. | The Times of India has called this a "historic" poll and the "most interesting" election Delhi has ever seen. |
Delhi's polls conclude key assembly elections in five Indian states - Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram - held between 11 November and 4 December. Votes will be counted on 8 December. | Delhi's polls conclude key assembly elections in five Indian states - Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram - held between 11 November and 4 December. Votes will be counted on 8 December. |
A total of 110 million voters were eligible to cast their votes in the five states. | A total of 110 million voters were eligible to cast their votes in the five states. |
Correspondents say the results will give a sense of how the electorate may vote in the general elections due in 2014. | Correspondents say the results will give a sense of how the electorate may vote in the general elections due in 2014. |