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Historic Delhi election sees 5.6% turnout in first hour of voting

Political leaders, including AAP's Arvind Kejriwal, BJP's Kiran Bedi and Congress president Sonia Gandhi were among early voters

Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Feb 07 2015 | 10:52 AM IST
Vice President Hamid Ansari, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, AAP and BJP's chief ministerial aspirants Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, and Union Minister Harsh Vardhan were among early voters in the Delhi Assembly polls where the AAP and BJP are locked in a no-holds-barred fight for power. 

The elections are significant as a defeat for BJP may bolster the opposition while a victory for the party will increase its confidence ahead of Assembly polls in Bihar later this year.

The Election Commission said 5.64%  of the 1.33 crore eligible voters exercised their franchise till 9 a.m..

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Kejriwal, whose party has put up a spirited fight in the polls, cast his vote at around 10 a.m. at a polling booth in B K Dutt colony of prestigious New Delhi constituency.

Earlier, Kejriwal appealed to voters, in a tweet, to "take a bath and head out to vote with a prayer. You will definitely win."

Rival Bedi, after casting her vote at a polling station in Malviya Nagar, appealed to people to come out in large numbers and vote.

"Today is a historic day. Delhiites have to decide what kind of Delhi they want - a clean Delhi, a secure Delhi, a capable Delhi, a Delhi that respects women. Respecting women is respecting Delhi. I appeal people to come out and vote," she said.

In the morning, Bedi tweeted a picture taken from her balcony and wrote, "The Sun God from my Window. Magnanimous for all, always. Giving me the Energy to Serve...Thank you."

In another tweet, she said, "with parents, family, and people's blessings I have done my duty...Now its your turn to vote for Safe+ Delhi."

Congress president Sonia Gandhi cast her vote at a polling booth at 9:35 a.m. in Nirman Bhavan in Central Delhi. The Congress is not seen as serious contender for power as the fight is largely seen between AAP and BJP.

When asked to comment on the polls, Gandhi said, "Whatever the people want will happen."

Rahul Gandhi cast his vote at a booth in Aurangzeb Lane.


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First Published: Feb 07 2015 | 10:40 AM IST

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