Nearly 46 per cent polling was recorded in bypolls to 13 municipal wards, touted as semi-finals of the 2017 MCD elections. While South Delhi Municipal Corporation’s Bhati Mines ward recorded highest turnout at 64 per cent, the Matiala ward in West Delhi saw lowest turnout at 33 per cent.
The polls are a litmus test for the BJP, the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party. While the debutant AAP is fighting for its popularity in the national Capital after its grand victory in the 2015 Assembly polls, the BJP and the Congress are trying to regain lost ground. Delhiites came out to exercise their franchise throughout the day even as the mercury soared to 42.6 degrees in the afternoon. According to the State Election Commission, 45.9 per cent polling was recorded of the total 6.68 lakh voters in 13 wards.