A fourth of voters less than 30 years old
As Delhi goes to polls again after over a year, 673 candidates will vie for the votes of the 1.33 crore-strong electorate.
As Delhi goes to polls again after over a year, 673 candidates will vie for the votes of the 1.33 crore-strong electorate.
In 2013, Delhi had witnessed a record voter turnout of about 65 per cent, the highest ever for an assembly election in Delhi. The momentum was maintained with almost similar turnout number during the general elections in 2014. It remains to be seen whether Delhi comes out to vote in numbers this time around too.
The turnout in 2013 was high because people from lower income group areas such as Seemapuri voted in massive numbers, with 70 per cent of the usually apathetic middle class voters of Greater Kailash and Defence Colony coming out to vote.
This time, the electorate is largely young with every fourth voter below the age of 29. The number of first-time voters (18-19 years) is 2.27 lakh and those between the age groups of 20 and 29 years are 36.93 lakh. There are about 36 lakh voters between the age of 30 and 39 years and those between 40 to 49 years are 26 lakh.
On Saturday, voting will begin at 8am and continue till 6pm at Delhi’s 12,177 polling stations. Seventy model polling stations — one in each constituency — will have facilities, including washrooms and seating areas. For differently-abled voters, ramps will be available at all polling stations and 400 wheelchairs will be deployed with attendants at different polling premises. A total of 3,000 volunteers will be deployed across all polling stations to assist voters.
The fate of the candidates later will remain sealed in 20,000 EVMs and 16,000 control units under tight security.
Counting will be done on February 10 at 14 centres.