Lok Sabha Election 2024
As of 1 pm on Saturday, voter turnout in Delhi for the 2024 Lok Sabha election stood at approximately 34.37% across its seven constituencies. North East Delhi led with the highest turnout at 37.31%, while New Delhi recorded the lowest at 31.66%.
Constituencies Underway
Polling is taking place in:
– Chandni Chowk
– North East Delhi
– East Delhi
– New Delhi
– North West Delhi
– West Delhi
– South Delhi
Weather Conditions and Voter Support
A ‘yellow’ warning was issued, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting temperatures up to 44 degrees Celsius. Despite the intense heat, the Delhi election authority assured that measures were in place to help voters.
Technical Issues and Incidents
According to PTI, there have been no reports of technical glitches or delays. However, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat faced an issue with a non-functioning Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) battery at St Thomas School in New Delhi, delaying her vote.
Notable Voters
Among the early voters were:
– Union Ministers S Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri
– Delhi Minister Atishi
– Outgoing East Delhi MP Gautam Gambhir
– Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
– President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a Hindi post on X, encouraged citizens to vote against authoritarianism and to strengthen democracy. Atishi cast her vote in South Delhi at Nigam Pratibha Vidyalaya, Kalkaji B Block, and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal also voted.
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Voter Demographics
Before polling started at 7 am, crowds had already formed outside the over 13,000 booths. A total of 1.52 crore voters, including 82 lakh men, 69 lakh women, and 1,228 from the third gender, are eligible to vote. Additionally, there are over 2.52 lakh first-time voters.
Election Context
The BJP aims for a third consecutive sweep after winning all seven seats in the 2014 and 2019 elections. The opposition INDIA bloc, consisting of AAP and Congress, is contesting Delhi with a four-three seat-share formula.
