NEW DELHI:
An estimated 67 per cent turnout was recorded today in the crucial Delhi assembly polls where BJP and AAP were locked in a battle royale, outcome of which may have ramifications on the national political landscape.
“Around 67 per cent polling was recorded. However, we are still yet to get the final figure as voting continued beyond scheduled deadline of 6 PM,” Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer Chandra Bhushan Kumar said.
The assembly election, held for the second time in little over one year, has been largely a direct contest between BJP and a resurgent AAP which has put up a tough fight under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership.
All the exit polls have predicted a majority for the AAP with one of them giving it as high as 53 seats in the 70-member House.
The elections are being considered significant as a victory for BJP will increase its confidence ahead of assembly polls in Bihar later this year and in West Bengal in 2016 while a defeat may bolster the opposition.
The BJP, which is out of power in Delhi for the last 16 years, made a no holds barred effort to win the polls. It is being billed by many as a referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a description rejected by BJP.
The Election Commission said the elections have been largely peaceful and that there was no major glitch in Electronic Voting Machines. 44 EVMs had to replaced. (AGENCIES)
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