The Hindu : New Delhi News : 44 per cent turnout for Cantonment Board polls

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Monday, May 19, 2008
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New Delhi

44 per cent turnout for Cantonment Board polls

Staff Reporter

Both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party express hope of ‘sweeping’ the elections

Photos: V.V. Krishnan

Voters’ day: (Left) Voters arrive at a polling booth in Sadar Bazar to cast their votes for the Delhi Cantonment Board elections on Sunday. (Right) Polling agents near a booth to assist the voters.

NEW DELHI: Election to the eight wards of the Delhi Cantonment Board passed off peacefully on Sunday with a 44 per cent turnout and both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party expressing hope of “sweeping” the polls.

Returning Officer S.M. Bhardwaj said: “The polls took place peacefully without any major untoward incident. The break up of the turnout was 49.45 per cent in Ward 1; 42.96 in Ward 2; 42.56 in Ward 3; 25.3 in Ward 4; 55.2 in Ward 5; 32.9 in Ward 6; 52.7 in Ward 7; and 48. 36 in Ward 8. The police provided a good security cover at all the polling booths and ensured that the elections were not marred by violence.”

While expressing satisfaction at the peaceful polls, Delhi Congress Pradesh Committee president J.P. Agarwal said his party was confident of putting up a good show in all the eight Wards.

“The Congress has swung into action whenever minor problems have occurred and ensured their peaceful resolution. Even during polling, party leaders and workers discharged their duties seriously and kept an eye on the activities,” he added.

Mr. Agarwal also thanked the authorities and the voting public for the successful conclusion of the elections. “I thank the voters, the security agencies, the polling agents and authorities. We had started preparing for these polls six months ago. The candidates were chosen solely on the basis of their track record, their work within the party and their image among the public,” he said.

However, Delhi BJP president Harsh Vardhan accused the ruling party for trying to use its influence to affect the verdict.

“Despite the Congress trying its level best to misuse official machinery, we have done extremely well and will win hands down in all the eight Wards. The Congress is in power and left no stone unturned to exploit the official infrastructure for its own gains. They even allowed the use of railway passes as an identity proof with which to vote,” he added.

Into his third term as Delhi BJP president, Dr. Vardhan also said the results of these polls would be a strong indicator of where Delhi was heading politically.

“The issues of these polls were the same they would be for the forthcoming Assembly elections -- price rise, power and water shortage, poor sanitation, health and education facilities,” he added.

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