NEW DELHI, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Voting for the local elections that began Wednesday morning is underway in the Indian capital territory, Delhi, officials said.

Polling across the city's 70 constituencies started at 7:00 a.m. local time amid tight security and adequate arrangements, and would go on until 6:00 p.m.

Long queues of voters were seen outside designated polling booths waiting to cast votes.

The official broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said nearly 33.31 percent voter turnout was recorded until 1:00 p.m. local time.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), 699 candidates are in the fray for 70 seats. Over 15 million voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the ongoing elections.

Officials said tight security and elaborate arrangements were put in place to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling across the national capital city.

The ECI has deployed over 180,000 polling personnel to ensure the smooth conduct of elections. Nearly 3,000 polling booths have been identified as sensitive, with special security arrangements, including drone surveillance, at some locations.

Officials said 220 companies of paramilitary forces, 35,626 police personnel, and 19,000 home guards have been deployed across the city to ensure smooth voting.

In the ongoing elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is seeking to regain power under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal for the third straight time. The party has swept the last two elections in 2015 and 2020.

Kejriwal, who was forced to resign as chief minister last year after being jailed on corruption charges, is currently out on bail. He faces tough competition from India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Congress party, which ruled Delhi for 15 years, is also contesting to reclaim control over the national capital.

The counting of votes will be taken up on Saturday. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)