Delhi, Voting took place in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. India’s Lok Sabha elections, held on Saturday amid sweltering heat, recorded a voter turnout of just over 55 percent, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). Notably, the average voter turnout in the national capital was down about 5 percentage points compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The elections official’s office said turnout was about 55.16% as of 6 p.m., when polls were scheduled to close. There were still many people waiting in line at the polling station..
In the 2019 general elections, Delhi’s voter turnout was 60.52 percent, with the BJP winning all seats, defeating both the AAP and the Congress. Now, the AAP and Congress have come together to challenge the BJP’s dominance.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Delhi recorded a voter turnout of 65.1 percent, with the BJP winning all seven constituencies, defeating both the AAP and the Indian National Congress.
According to election officials, the highest voter turnout of 58.30 percent was recorded in Northeast Delhi in today’s election, with incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party MP Manoj Tiwari facing off against Kanya Kumar of the Indian National Congress.
The lowest voter turnout was recorded in the New Delhi constituency, where the BJP’s Bansuri Swaraj contested against Somnath Bharti of the AAP, which forms part of the Indian Union.
According to poll commission data, the voter turnout in Chandni Chowk constituency was 53.27 per cent, East Delhi 54.37 per cent, West Delhi 54.90 per cent, North West Delhi 53.81 per cent and South Delhi 52.83 per cent.
Election officials said no major technical issues or delays were reported at any polling stations and that voting began peacefully at all polling stations.
As the scorching heat began to subside, more people ventured out of their homes, causing lines to lengthen before polls closed at 6 p.m.
Considering the hot weather, the polling body has made arrangements such as provision of shaded areas, medical staff, drinking water and juice, and ambulances.
Footage from polling stations showed people of all ages flocking to polling stations, with good Samaritans rushing to help, offering tea and snacks to voters, distributing chilled bottles of water to polling staff and voters, and even offering mobile phones to people entering polling stations to vote.
