Delhi MCD Elections 2022 Live Updates: Citizens stand in queues to cast their votes for the MCD elections, at Shri Ram Colony in New Delhi, December 4, 2022. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)Delhi MCD Elections Exit Polls 2022 Highlights: Ahead of the MCD elections results on Wednesday (December 7), exit polls have started projecting an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sweep in Delhi. Total seats in MCD are 250, and the majority mark is 126. This is predicted to be the first defeat of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in MCD elections in 15 years.
Around 50 per cent voting was recorded till 5.30 pm on Sunday in the election to the 250 municipal wards in Delhi, with main rivals BJP and AAP claiming victory in the high-stakes contest. No major glitches in electronic voting machines were reported and the voting passed off peacefully with high security observed at the 3,360 critical booths in 493 locations where more than 25,000 police personnel, nearly 13,000 home guards and 100 companies of paramilitary forces were deployed, officials said. Several people in North-East Delhi and some other areas complained that their names were missing from the voters’ lists. The figure is likely to rise as many people who reported before 5.30 pm and were queued up at the polling booths were casting their votes.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal cast his vote in the MCD polls and had appealed to the public to vote for a party that works for people rather than creating hurdles. “People should vote for the party that’s honest and works. For those who focus on the cleanliness of the city and not those who keep creating hurdles,” he told reporters, PTI reported.
A day after exit polls predicted a sweep by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the MCD elections, the party’s National Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Tuesday he is hopeful of a win in the civic body polls.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi polls were held Sunday across all 250 wards after they were merged earlier this year. The exit polls, which were released ahead of the MCD election results Wednesday, showed a clean sweep by the AAP, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a distant second. In the last MCD polls in 2017, the BJP won 181 of the 272 seats, the AAP got 48, and Congress managed 30 seats. Read more.
Upscale neighbourhoods of South Delhi saw the lowest voter turnout in Sunday’s municipal polls, while rural pockets and parts of Northeast Delhi saw the highest polling percentages, data shared by the Delhi State Election Commission shows.
The city reported a turnout of around 50%, lower than that in 2017 and 2012 (around 54%). Read more.
News X — Jan ki Baat MCD elections 2022 exit poll projects AAP as the clear winner.
AAP —159 to 175
BJP — 70 to 92
Congress — 4 to 7
Others — 1
Times Now ETG MCD 2022 Exit Polls predicted an AAP sweep in Delhi.
AAP — 146 to 156
BJP — 84 to 94
Congress — 6 to 10
Others — 0 to 4
India Today Axis My India Exit poll for MCD 2022 elections predicts an AAP sweep in Delhi
Total seats — 250
Aam Aadmi Party — 149 to 171
Bharatiya Janata Party — 69 to 91
Congress — 3 to 7
Others — 5 to 9
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The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday alleged that 668 voters were not allowed to cast their vote at a polling booth in Karol Bagh here in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections as their names were not on the electoral list. The party's MLA from Karol Bagh, Vishesh Ravi, demanded re-election at the booth and strict action against the officials for the 'mess'.
'According to the electoral roll and the Nagar Nigam Chunav app, a total of 668 voters from SP Mukherjee Market, Faiz Road were supposed to cast their vote in booth no. 118, Ward-82, AC-23 at the polling station - Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya Plot No.6 Jhandewalan. But from the morning the voters were made to run from pillar to post as this booth didn't have the list of voters.
'The RO office had given an electoral roll for each polling booth for the MCD election. When the voters of SP Mukherjee Market, Faiz Road went to booth no. 118, they were not allowed to vote,' he alleged.
After learning about the matter, Ravi said he reached out to the presiding officer in the polling booth who claimed that the said voters are not on his list.
'After multiple calls and writing an email to the State Election Commissioner, we finally received a call from the DM Central. Though they promised to resolve the problem, no resolution was provided. At last, at 4 pm, the RO communicated that due to confusion in his office, the people could not cast their votes,' the MLA claimed. (PTI)
On Sunday, Gudiya Devi made the rounds of three polling centres in Mandawali’s E, D and C blocks to check if her name was on the MCD election voters’ list – to no avail. “I visited three centres during the day, struggling to find my name but turned back. I have voted before as well but never faced any issue,” she said.
The 45-year-old was among several residents in Mandawali who claimed their names had been “deleted” from the voter list despite having updated voter ID cards. The residents claimed the election commission’s server could not fetch their names and the electoral list at various polling centres near their homes too did not show their names. (Read More)
Even as the MCD election was underway on Sunday, the AAP and the BJP took a dig at each other – AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged people to vote for an “honest party” that does not litter the city, while BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused the AAP of allegedly deleting names from voter lists.
After casting his vote along with his family at a polling centre in Civil Lines, Kejriwal said, “Today, I went with my whole family and voted to form an honest government in the municipal corporation. Today is a holiday… You all must go and vote with your family. Ask your neighbours and acquaintances also to vote. Together, we will make Delhi clean and beautiful.” (Read More)
The elections to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi was held on Sunday, with around 50.47 per cent of those eligible turning out to vote until 5.30 pm.
The BJP and the AAP expressed confidence that they would get the majority of seats, while the Congress said the low turnout meant that the people were disappointed in both those parties.
The AAP had failed to get a majority in any of the three corporations (North, East and South) in 2017, just two years after it won 67 out of 70 Assembly seats. A win in the MCD election would give it greater control of the city. Since Delhi is a Union Territory with special powers, the AAP government does not have control of the civic bodies, land, law and order, and police. (Read More)
For some residents of Northeast Delhi, the 2020 riots and the responses to it were on top of their minds when they voted in the MCD election on Sunday. Others, however, said local issues are a more pressing concern.
Brijpuri resident Haji Gul Mohammad (52), a railway employee at the Old Delhi Railway Station, rued what he claimed was a lack of help from the AAP during the riots and said he would steadfastly remain behind the Congress despite several issues remaining unresolved in the locality in the past few years. “The drains are overflowing and there is garbage everywhere. There is garbage clogging the drains. Former MLA Hasan Ahmed (who represented the Mustafabad constituency) had done some work, but not much happened after that,” he added. (Read More)
The sight of roads dug up, smell of garbage putrefying on their streets and endless knocks at a councillor’s door leading to bitter disappointment weighed on the minds of voters who headed out to cast their vote for a new, reunified MCD on Sunday.
Most voters The Indian Express spoke to listed a series of hyperlocal aspirations, all centering around the cleanliness of their localities. Many also expressed anger and disappointment at current incumbents for not doing enough.
In Shaheen Bagh, a sea of garbage cutting across the entrance of a polling centre reminded voters of what they were voting for. Rajda Khan, a 37-year-old resident, is voting for change as she said, “Previous officials have not had success”. She hopes to see proper garbage disposal. (Read More)
As she walked towards the polling station on Sunday morning, Rajni Paswan, a domestic worker residing in South Delhi’s Zamrudpur, was still not sure who she should cast her vote for. At the age of 46, she was going to vote for the first time. She looked towards her son Rahul (20), who had helped her register to vote. “I think whoever comes should do good work, like the Kejriwal government. They really improved my school and made it very good. But it’s ultimately up to her to decide,” he said. “I think I’ll only make up my mind when I’m inside the booth,” she finally said.
Elsewhere, in Batla House, Hafeez Ahman (34) also helped his mother Jameela Begum (80) cast her vote. “The sewage pipelines in my lane were laid just a few days ago. But our roads are still in a pathetic state and they keep promising to widen them. We just want proper disposal of garbage and roads to be widened in our lanes,” Begum said. (Read More)
Voters were greeted with flowers at a polling booth in Chandni Chowk's Fatehpuri as they voted in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls on Sunday.
Police personnel stationed at the booth in Galli Haider Quli handed over rose and marigold flowers to those who came to vote at 8 am, when the voting began. "We gave flowers to those who arrived at 8 am to exercise their right. This was our way of saying thank you to them," said a police personnel stationed there.
Voting began for the high-stakes civic polls in Delhi at 8 am on Sunday. The election is largely being seen as a three-way contest among the AAP, BJP and the Congress. (PTI)
Security was heightened at 3,360 critical booths spanned 493 locations with the deployment of 25,000 police personnel, nearly 13,000 home guards and about 100 companies of paramilitary forces to ensure smooth conduct of the MCD polls on Sunday, officials said.
Sixty drones were used to especially maintain law and order in critical or sensitive booths, they said.
In north Delhi, to closely supervise the polling process and to motivate the staff on the ground, Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Dependra Pathak and Additional Commissioner of Police (Central Zone) Suman Goyal visited several areas of the district, including Civil Lines police station and Timarpur sub-division. Extensive foot-patrolling in various areas, including Chandni Chowk, was ensured, the officials said. (PTI)
The polling stations in Bawana's Katewara village wore a deserted look as its residents boycotted the MCD elections on Sunday, alleging negligence from the civic body.
"The whole village unanimously decided to boycott the elections. The civic body as well as the Delhi government always neglected people here, so why should we cast our votes?" said Krishna Vats, a resident of the village. As a result, no one turned up at the polling booths in Nangal Thakran ward of Bawana assembly constituency, he said. "Main roads are broken, drains are clogged and MCD schools are in pathetic conditions here," Vats told PTI.
Another resident Rohit Kaushik claimed that three roads leading to the village are completely broken, because of which road accidents happen frequently in the area. Kaushik said despite submitting 200 to 250 written complaints to the civic body administration, no action has been taken so far. (PTI)
Senior BJP leader and former mayor of North Delhi Avtar Singh claimed on Sunday that his party was "ahead" of its rivals in the MCD polls, and accused the AAP of making "false claims to hide its failures".
The AAP has been attacking the BJP during the campaign phase, alleging that the saffron party, which has been in power in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for the last 15 years, has "turned the city into a filthy mess" due to its "failure" in governance.
"We are asking for votes only on basis of our work. BJP running at number one right now, and we are ahead of our rivals. And, we are going to form our government after winning the polls. We were there and we will maintain our rule in the MCD," Singh claimed.
He was interacting with PTI after casting his vote at a polling station set up in the premises of the State Election Commission here. The senior BJP leader was elected as North Delhi mayor in 2019. (PTI)
Amid beefed-up security, the residents of Delhi's northeast exercised their franchise in a civic poll for the first time since the infamous 2020 riots, hoping for a safer future. Polling was held on 250 wards of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on Sunday. As per data shared by officials, 3,360 booths, spanning 493 locations, were identified in critical or sensitive categories.
At a polling station in Khajuri Khas, ACP Niraj Tokas said 21 police personnel have been deputed to look after the security at the booth. "One ACP-rank officer, one superintendent of police, one sub-inspector, four ASI and 14 constables have been deputed to secure the area. The voting went well. Nothing untoward happened," Tokas told PTI.
In Bajanpura, Sub-Inspector Gyan Prakash said 40 personnel have been deployed at the polling booth. "The safety of everyone has been ensured and the polls were conducted peacefully," he told PTI.
Policemen at the gate of the booth ensured that no gathering took place and allowed a limited number of people inside. (PTI)
The BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party accused each other of violating model code of conduct during voting in municipal polls in Delhi on Sunday.
Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor alleged that recorded messages of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealing people to vote for the AAP were received by lakhs of people on the day of polling. He said it was a violation of model code of conduct and lodged a complaint with the State Election Commission. The party also lodged a complaint against AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak and another party leader Vijendra Garg.
In his complaint, Delhi BJP's Legal cell co-convener sanket Gupta alleged that both Pathak and Garg violated model code of conduct by campaigning on the night of December 3 which was "silence period" before voting. The complaint also cited a viral social media video of the two AAP leaders allegedly campaigning. The party demanded the Election Commission to direct police to register an FIR against Pathak and Garg. (PTI)
The residents of Northwest Delhi's Jahangirpuri have cast their votes for peace, communal harmony and cleanliness in this Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections.
The market area in Jahangirpuri which had come to a standstill in April due to clashes between two communities during a Hanuman Jayanti procession was bustling on Sunday as people went out in large numbers to exercise their franchise. The clash that erupted on April 16 left eight police personnel and a local resident injured.
Although the situation returned to normalcy months ago, the security in the market area was slightly beefed up with the deployment of police and Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel every 200 metres.
Tajman Bibi, one of the Jahangirpuri voters, said he wants the upcoming MCD regime to focus on peace and communal harmony, which are his primary concerns. (PTI)
Sanitation, maintenance of parks and lack of parking facilities were the issues of concern for women who came out to vote in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi election on Sunday. Over 45 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 4 pm in the high-stakes election.
Dr Rehana Parveen, a general physician who arrived at a pink booth on DDU Marg here to cast her vote, flagged the issue of garbage collection from colonies as a major concern. "Garbage should be collected from colonies even on a holiday or on the day of any festival. At present, garbage is usually seen lying in colonies on the day of any festival. Guests come and it becomes very embarrassing seeing our colony so dirty," she said.
Her daughter, Hadia Fatima, who is a mechanical engineer by profession, said vehicle parking is also a major issue of concern to them. "I have to park my vehicle on the road every day. There is always a fear that my vehicle will be stolen. There are daily fights over the parking issue and a gender bias also exists," she said. (PTI)
The Commission for Air Quality Management has ordered a ban on construction and demolition activities in Delhi as AQI was recorded as severe on Sunday.
Grappling with issues such as waterlogging, poor roads and lack of education facilities, people in the rural areas of Delhi's Rohini and Badli turned up in large numbers on Sunday to vote in the Delhi municipal elections.
Waiting in a long queue outside a polling booth in Rohini sector 18, 86-year-old Shanti Devi told PTI that better drainage facilities and roads are needed in her locality. "The main point is corruption should be rooted from the MCD. We need better facilities here. There are problems pertaining to potable water, broken roads and clogged drains. MCD officials often come and dig up the roads around without even thinking about the issues faced by residents because of this," she alleged.
Somesh Puri, who also lives in the same area, said residents have to face knee-deep water on the roads every monsoon. He also claimed that water supplied to the households is often unfit for consumption. "Residents cannot step out of their houses during the monsoon because of water-logged roads. The drains remain clogged throughout the year and the sewage water spills onto the roads during the rainy season. The water that we get in our household is contaminated and unfit for consumption," the 60-year-old said. (PTI)
Several children in the national capital had a brush with the electoral process as they excitedly accompanied their parents and other family members to the polling booths during the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections on Sunday. Several polling booths had special arrangements for kids, including a creche facility, swings and decked-up selfies kiosks.
Naman, a class 4 student, had accompanied his maternal grandfather to the polling booth at the Pusa Institute. "This is the school where I study as well. It is the first time I am coming to the booth and it is exciting. My school has been decked up beautifully." His school was one of the 68 model booths for the polls.
Usha Gupta (67), a resident of Lajpat Nagar also took her granddaughter to the polling booth. "My granddaughter keeps complaining about the bad roads, untideness and garbage that gets piled up in our locality. I keep telling her that it is the responsibility of civic agencies to clear address this issues. Today, I also explained her the importance of voting rights and how we can exercise our right and hope for a change," she said. (PTI)
Flipping through the list of voters at a polling station in Khajoori Khas for the MCD election, 19-year-old Puneet Kumar was excited to vote for the first time on Sunday but was left disappointed when he found his name missing. “I came here to cast my vote. I found that my name is not mentioned in the list. Officials don't have a clue. I am standing for the past few hours but nobody is helping me,” a dejected Kumar said.
Several queries sent to State Election Commission officials on the issue did not elicit any response.
Nusra Jahan (62) reached the polling booth in Bhajanpura to cast her vote but was told her name was not on the list. She requested the officials to check again but in vain. An upset Jahan vented her anger at the officials, accusing them of shoddy work. “I have voted in several elections and now this is the first time I have been told that my vote is not here. "I don't know why this has been done. I asked them for an explanation, but they couldn't explain. Now I have to travel back without casting my vote. This is a mistake on their part,” said Jahan.
In Krishna Nagar (East Delhi), Rayan came to cast his vote with his wife. But the 30-year-old was unable to do so as his name was not mentioned on the list. “I searched for my name and even asked officials but my name is not mentioned on the list. Now I am going back without casting my vote,” Rayan said. (PTI)
While election to the 250 wards of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was underway, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia toured various parts of the national capital on Sunday. "Sweeping is going on everywhere..." he tweeted, along with pictures of his visit.
After casting his vote for the ongoing Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal Sunday wrote on his Twitter account: "Today, the whole family went together and voted to form an honest government in the Municipal Corporation. Today is a holiday, you too must go and vote with your whole family. Ask your neighbours and acquaintances too. Together we will make Delhi clean and beautiful."
Delhi East MP and BJP leader Gautam Gambhir cast his vote, alongside his wife Natasha Gambhir, for the MCD elections at a polling booth in Swami Dayanand Government Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Old Rajinder Nagar on Sunday.
First-time voters batted for a spick and span Delhi with better civic amenities as they queued up for the MCD elections on Sunday. Of the 1.45 crore voters in Delhi, 95,0000 are first-time voters.
Coming out of a polling station set up at ITI Malviya Nagar, 18-year-old Namita said her vote was for cleanliness, better education, better parking facilities and against encroachment. "I was excited as well as nervous because I had been reading about voting rights and its importance. Today was the first time I cast my vote which was for cleanliness, better education, better parking facilities and against encroachment," she said.
Kanishka Dagar (19) a political science student at Kirori Mal College, said he was inspired by his parents who diligently cast their votes in every election. "I was waiting to turn 18 so that I could exercise my vote. I want a party that should work through its five-year tenure rather than scrambling to fulfil their promises at the fag end of their term just to gain votes," he said. (PTI)
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur Sunday exuded confidence that the BJP will emerge victorious in the ongoing elections to the 250 wards of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
"Lotus will bloom in all three civic bodies in the national capital, and Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh as well. The BJP will form governments in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh yet again and bag the MCD," he told reporters in Hisar, Haryana. (ANI)
The people of Katewara village in North West district have reportedly boycotted the MCD elections due to the lack of basic amenities like proper roads and drainage systems in their village. (ANI)
Accompanied by her daughter, 106-year-old Shanti Bala Vaidya reached a polling station in Bara Hindu Rao area in north Delhi to cast her vote in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) poll on Sunday morning.
"She has not missed a single election since she started voting," her 40-year-old daughter Kamla said. Vaidya only understands Bengali but cannot talk.
"The only word she utters is 'Maa'. She calls me Maa," Kamla, who is a dry fruit vendor, said.
Police personnel deployed at Deputy Ganj polling station also helped Vaidya in casting her vote.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Sagar Singh Kalsi said police also have a responsibility towards voters, especially senior citizens. "Our personnel at polling booths have been briefed and sensitised to assist anyone who needs help," he said. (PTI)
Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi on Sunday said that the people will give a “befitting” reply to the ones who call themselves honest.
In a conversation after casting her vote in the MCD elections 2022 at a polling booth in South Extension Part 2, Meenakashi Lekhi said, “People who call themselves honest will get a befitting reply from Delhi’s voters.”
Attacking the jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) minister Satyendar Jain, Lekhi also said that the activities of AAP ministers are out before everyone.
“What AAP ministers are doing inside the jail and whatever facilities the Delhi government is providing has come before the world. Even after all this, that person is still a minister. Kejriwal should rather tell how many honest relations he has,” she added. (ANI)
The election to the 250 wards of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is currently underway. The Model Polling Booth Ward 160 is equipped with facilities like a waiting area.
"People are suffering from issues such as cleanliness. MCD hasn't done anything for us for a long time. So I've decided to contest independently," said a candidate Kumkum. (ANI)
Sonu, 41, a resident of East Patel Nagar, spoke to The Indian Express after exercising her franchise and stated that regular supply of water was a major issue in their area.
"Kejriwal government promised that people will get regular water supply and subsidies in electricity bills. But, we are still receiving huge bills.... We are not getting what we were promised. Garbage disposal is also a big problem... Garbage is collected once in a week, due to which mosquitoes have increased. These are our concerns and accordingly, we cast our votes," she said.
Just like Delhi Congress chief Anil Chaudhary, several citizens from Mandawali C and D block came forward on Sunday complaining that their names were not on the voters’ list.
Gudiya Devi, a resident of Mandavali’s D block, alleged that her name had been deleted.
Being wheelchair bound or walking with crutches was not a deterrent for differently-abled Delhi residents who enthusiastically arrived at the polling booths on Sunday to make their vote count for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) election. Praveen (56), whose family brought him to the booth on a wheelchair, said, "Every vote matters".
"Everyone should come out and exercise their right. Cleanliness was the main issue on my mind when I cast my vote," he said.
Hari Om (70) arrived at the polling booth holding crutches. "There are many issues in our area and I don't know whether they will be addressed. But I knew I had to ensure that my vote counts," he said. (PTI)
On Sunday, Delhiites queued up outside the polling booths to exercise their franchise as elaborate arrangements were made for the high-stakes MCD election. Polls for the 250 MCD wards kicked off at 8 am and continued till 5.30 pm. The votes would be counted on December 7 and the results will be announced on the same day.
This was the first election after the MCD was reunified earlier this year. While the AAP is aiming for greater control, the BJP is looking to extend its reign and the Congress hoping to regain some lost ground. Read more
Childcare facilities, selfie kiosks, lounges and candies greeted voters at pink booths and model polling stations decked up to provide a relaxed voting experience in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls on Sunday. Polling for 250 wards began at 8 am and will continue till 5:30 pm. Votes will be counted on December 7.
The Delhi State Election Commission (SEC) has set up 68 pink booths and as many model polling stations. At an all-female staff managed pink booth at Khajuri Khas in northeast Delhi decked with balloons, voter Momina Rashid said, "This looks pleasing. Also, voting has become easy." "We require to exercise our rights. The issues that are in our mind are the pathetic condition of roads and drainage. We want our area to be cleaned," she said. (PTI)
A voter turnout of 18 per cent was recorded in the Delhi MCD elections till 12 pm.
Voters show their fingers marked with indelible ink after casting their votes for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections. (Express/Tashi Tobgyal)
18-year-old DU student Uday Sharma casts his vote for the first time along with his father Yadavram Sharma in Preet Vihar.
Improved healthcare and educational infrastructure in Delhi is highly publicised by the Delhi government and has received appreciation at international platforms too. It also helped the AAP government get reelected in the 2020 Delhi Assembly election. In its electoral campaigns for other states too, the AAP has relied on the Delhi model of governance, revolving around healthcare and education.
In a pre-poll survey during the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, over three-fourth (78%) and close to seven in ten (69%) said the condition of government schools and hospitals, respectively, had improved in the past five years. Read more
Infrastructure and corruption are often contentious issues in any election. In the case of Delhi, additionally, the question of women’s safety assumes significance. As the AAP advertises its governance model, voters’ assessment on these three issues assume importance.
Overall, there is a positive assessment of the AAP’s performance in the case of infrastructure of the NCR (table 1). More than half of the respondents agreed that the condition of the water supply in their area has improved, but when it comes to the quality of drinking water supply in the capital, only 38% opined that the quality has improved. In the case of conditions of drains and sewers in Delhi, nearly two-fifths reported that there has been an improvement in the drainage and sewer facilities. Read more
A voter turnout of 9 per cent was recorded in the Delhi MCD elections till 10:30 am.
34-year-old Hafeez Ahmad, helps his mother Jameela Begum (80) to cast her vote at a polling booth in Batla House. Begum said, "The sewage pipelines in my lane was laid just a few days ago. But our roads are still in a pathetic condition and they keep promising the widen the roads. We just want the disposal of garbage and roads to be widened in our lanes."
After casting his vote for the Delhi MCD elections, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that the polls was a wake-up call for Delhi. "We've to make India a developed country by 2047...Recently a report has predicted that we'll become no. 3 (economy) in next 4-5 years. So people have to choose which brand of politics they want to follow," he told ANI.
60-year-old Haji Ayub, a social worker and resident of Delhi's Mustafabad, said that lack of cleanliness was an important issue in his area.
"Lack of clean water, corruption in the MCD...these are all issues. We have had a Congress councillor for 10 years now, but the Congress councillors say they don't have much power since they dont have a majority in the MCD or the government. There needs to be some change now," he said.
Delhi Congress president Anil Chaudhary said that his name was missing from the voter's list at a polling booth in Delhi's Dallupura. "My name is neither in the voter list nor in the deleted list. My wife has voted. Officials are checking it," he told news agency ANI.
55-year-old Janaki Devi, a resident of Okhla, said, "They demolished my tea stall and did not leave anything behind. My home and livelihood was destroyed in a day. I came to cast my vote because I am angry".
Over the past few weeks in the run-up to Sunday’s MCD elections, major political parties tried to outdo each with stickers, flags, and placards for their campaign, but one strategy was common — roping in autorickshaws. Fitted with loudspeakers, the vehicles blared campaign songs and slogans from dawn to dusk. While campaigning for the polls ended on Friday, The Indian Express spoke to a few auto drivers across the city to find out what the job involved.
In South Delhi’s Kalkaji, Govind Barman said he showed up for work around 8 am and drove his auto till around 9 pm, even as its speakers broadcasted the chant, “MCD mein bhi Kejriwal.” Read more
Here's a list of the top 5 most populous wards in Delhi:
Smallest wards