With a turnout of 57.85%, east Delhi’s Maujpur ward came out to vote in huge numbers for the bypoll here on Sunday, said the Delhi State Election Commission.
The poll body said 26,032 of 45,000 eligible voters cast their votes.
Masoom Sheikh, 28, said many people from her neighbourhood of Jafrabad’s Gali 5 were not aware that it was voting day.
“There was a lot of confusion. Many people thought they had to vote on April 23, when the rest of the city had voted. Today [on Sunday], many forgot to vote,” she said, while waiting in the heat to cast her vote.
A slow start
Though many polling stations saw a slow start, the crowd started to pick up by afternoon, said security officials.
Elections to Maujpur and north Delhi’s Sarai Pipal Thala wards were postponed after the death of candidates here.
Counting on May 23
While bypolls in Sarai Pipal Thala will be held on May 21, counting for both wards will take place on May 23.
Voting in the rest of the 270 wards of the three municipal corporations was held on April 23.
The results were announced on April 26.
In Maujpur ward, polling had been postponed due to the death of Samajwadi Party candidate Naseema. Her daughter Shaheen is now in the fray for the party.
The ward is currently held by the BJP.
Other contenders in the election include Suman Sharma (BJP), Rekha Sharma (Congress) and Reshma (Aam Aadmi Party).
Election to the Sarai Pipal Thala ward had to be rescheduled after the death of Samajwadi Party candidate Dinesh Singh.
The party has now fielded his son Himanshu.
The area has been the BJP’s stronghold in the last few elections, but it could be anyone’s game this time, said residents.
Civic issues to play a role
According to voters, problems of clean drinking water, overflowing drains, and unauthorised construction are on the minds of most residents.
“Votes will be cast for candidates. We have heard everyone’s promises, but expect some action now. We do not want to hear about national or international politics. We just want basic facilities for our families,” said Shamsher Singh, a resident of Adarsh Mohalla.
