Delhi MCD 2017 Elections commence
The elections for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi began today. For the AAP, the elections will be an important platform for them to show that they are still politically relevant in the capital. After their recent streak of losses, the Congress will seek to make an impact in these polls. Meanwhile, the BJP will seek to retain its dominance of the MCD.
MCD elections by numbers
This year there will be 1.3 crore voters taking part in the election. There will also be 1 lakh first time voters. Polling will take place across 13,138 polling stations. A total of 2537 candidates will be vying for 272 seats. In 2012 the BJP scored a massive victory, winning 138 seats. There was a 58% voter turn-out that year.
Swaraj India makes its political debut
Swaraj India, a new political outfit headed by Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan will make its electoral debut with the Delhi MCD elections. Swaraj India leaders have asked AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal to resign if he loses the MCD elections.
Issues voters are facing today
Many voters were not given their photo voting slip, which is usually given prior to the election to enable voters to vote. However, officials are now handing out hand-written slips to voters. In some places voters faced off with officials who did not allow mobile phones and tablets into voting booths. Citizens said there were no proper announcements regarding this.
