New Delhi: Voting for the municipal elections in the Capital began on a dull note on Thursday morning with snags in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at several polling centres leading to slight delays in the process.
Several polling centres across the city reported slight delays due to malfunctioning of the EVMs. In fact, snags in EVMs were reported from over a dozen polling booths in the city.
UNI quoted sources in the Delhi State Election Commission saying that most of the snags had been rectified and polling was going on smoothly in these areas.
The EVMs are being used for the first time in the MCD polls. Though the polling, which began at 0800 hrs IST, amid tight security arrangements, began on a dull note, officials said it was likely to pick up as the day progressed.
More than 2500 candidates are in the fray, out of which a record 50 per cent are contesting as independents.
More than 99 lakh voters are expected to exercise their franchise at 9,649 polling booths.
The main contest is expected to be between the ruling Congress and the BJP.
While Congress is looking for a face-saver in the Master Plan in the wake of the sealing and demolition drives, the BJP is hoping for resurgence in the Capital through the elections.
The polls will see many firsts, including the doubling of the wards and use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).
Delhi police has made elaborate arrangements for conduct of peaceful elections. Besides over 50,000 personnel of the Delhi police, 34 companies of para-military forces and 4,403 Home Guards have been deployed to maintain law and order.
The Congress took a number of steps in the run up to the polls like selecting young and fresh faces to counter anti-incumbency and hurriedly notifying the Master Plan for Delhi 2021.
Campaigning for the polls ended on Wednesday evening with candidates wooing voters in their wards in a last minute effort to ensure victory. The counting for the polls is on April 7.
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