Delhi civic polls peaceful, turnout over 55 pc

Delhiites on Sunday turned out in large numbers for the Municipal Corporation polls, the first for the trifurcated civic body, with an estimated 55 to 58 per cent exercising their franchise in a peaceful exercise.

The fate of 2,423 candidates, vying for 272 wards of the three civic bodies -- East, South and North -- carved out of the existing Municipal Corporation of Delhi, was sealed in Electronic Voting Machines.

There were no reports of violence during the election for the three new corporations, seen as a semi-final ahead of next year's assembly polls in the state.

Fifty to 58 per cent of the 1.15 crore-strong electorate exercised their franchise but the exact turnout would be known on Monday morning, State Election Commissioner Rakesh Mehta told a press conference.

"Exact figures will be available tomorrow," he said.

The voting percentage could surpass 60 per cent if there was a high turnout in the last hour, he said.

In the last elections in 2007, the turnout was a dismal 42.78 per cent.

Both Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party claimed their parties would sweep the polls.

Delhi Congress chief J P Agarwal said he was "100 per cent confident" about his party's victory while his BJP counterpart Vijender Gupta was "certain" his camp was going to win all the three corporations.

The counting of votes will take place on Tuesday.