Voters brave heat, only to find names missing

Sakina got up early in the morning at her house in Delhi's Jama Masjid area to exercise her right to change on Sunday morning. The MCD Polls gave her an opportunity to bring the change she desires in the Walled City.

"Cleanliness of the roads is the major issue at my place, I wish the netas fulfil the promise they make after the result is out. We desperately need honest Councillors who could make our place better." Sakina says.

Sakina was not alone. Many residents in areas under North Delhi Municipal Corporation want their Councillor to work for the betterment of the area. The Walled City is famous for its heritage buildings and hence is a major spot for tourist attraction. The footfall in the area signifies its importance in making the place a tourist attraction.

Voters in Karol Bagh, Sadar and Paharganj faced severe traffic snarls, while some were shocked to find their names were missing from the voters list.

76-year-old Gayatri Devi, a resident of Model Town, reached the polling booth with her voter ID card despite having difficulty in walking, only to find her name missing from the list. "Despite seeking help from the officials here and showing them my voter ID, I have to return back home without casting my vote. The officials say that my name in not in the list and nothing can be done now," she said.

Arvind Sehgal, a resident of Tagore Park, could not vote due to the same problem. "I tried calling the Election Commission helpline number, but am not able to get through. I am helpless and no help was provided at the polling station."

Vivek, a resident of Model Town, having GTB Nagar, ward N 14 as his polling booth said: "I prefer to go and vote once the temperature outside calms down. I always vote in the second phase of the election day."

The initial hours of polling, which began at 8 am, witnessed a dismal turnout. The situation, however, improved as people trooped out later in the day with the intense heatwave waning. Around 46 per cent turnout was recorded till 4 PM, with North MCD leading the tally among the three civic bodies. Polling, however, saw a mixed response and the turnout increased in the second half of the day.

North MCD has 104 seats and the Bakhtawarpur seat witnessed maximum voting with 69 percent. Meanwhile, Peeragarhi showed the lowest turnout with 46 percent. There were also complaints of faulty EVMs in North Delhi's Burari area.