nDespite several campaigns launched by the Delhi Chief Electoral Office (CEO), the voting percentage for the Delhi Assembly elections came down by five per cent as compared to 2015. Delhi poll body organised a number of nukkad nataks (Street Play), awareness programmes.
The initiatives of Election Commission to educate the voters, especially the first-timers and provide the voting opportunity to each and every citizen by extending the facility of postal ballots for the first time to the employees working in Government departments, including Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) failed to get the desired result.
The polling day, which began on 8:00 am on Saturday witnessed fewer voter turnout with only 4.33 polling per cent at 9 pm, 7.21 per cent at 11 pm. However, the poll percentage gained momentum after 3 pm with 41.15 per cent. The tentative voter turnout was 62.59 per cen. However, it was low compared with 67.17 per cent of the 2015 polls.
In the fiercely fought Delhi Assembly election, for the first time, the poll body extended the facility of postal ballot to government servants posted on election duty, Delhi Metro officials, and media persons having accreditation from the poll panel. Earlier, the facility was only
provided to Railway Employees. However, even after the facility the election commission only received 19 Form 12D under this category.
Besides, the facility was also provided to the persons with disabilities and octogenarian voters. "In total 2429 and 488 Form 12 D was accepted from senior citizens and PwD and out of that 2257 and 429 senior citizens and PwD casted their vote through postal ballot," said the official data shared by the election office.
Further, commission also conducted various other awareness program such as including the public and citizens via state cVIGIL app to upload pictures/videos of the leaders or any party members if they found them violating the model code of conduct (MCC) imposed for the elections. Action was taken on these posts within 100 minutes. It was a citizen-driven approach that held many to account.
But for scattered incidents, the election passed off peacefully. To maintain law and order, 38,874 Delhi Police personnel had been deployed. While in Rithala the AAP and the BJP workers clashed, Congress candidate Alka Lamba slapped an AAP supporter in the Chandni Chowk area.
While, the special voter awareness campaign through various mega events, Nukkad Nataks, Rallies, Prabhat Pheris, Magic Shows, Rangoli, balloons display and selfie cutout were organised. Outdoor Media Campaign through Metro Trains, Bus Queue Shelters, Digital Screens and Cluster Buses was also organised.
Regular appeal, through newspapers, SMSs, WhatsApp, Radio Jingles, electricity bills, water bills, phone bill, to voters to cast their vote on poll day was also made.
"EVM-VVPAT Awaren-ess Program was also carried out in every Polling Station Area. ,93,498 voters saw the demo and 3,94,727 actually used the opportunity to cast mock votes," shows the official data.