Low-income colonies saw high turnout

NEW DELHI: Though the capital registered a record turnout in the municipal elections with 53.53% of voting, data for the 270 municipal wards show that the poll percentage was relatively lower in the upscale and middle-class wards than outer Delhi, slums and unauthorised colonies. This indicates that the city’s periphery wants it to be heard. The outcome of the civic polls could also reflect the sentiment of a growing migrant population, which is redefining the social profile of the city.
The 104 wards in south and north corporations recorded a total of 51.5% and 54.1% of voting respectively, while the east civic body witnessed the highest turnout — 56.05%. Voting figures released by the state election commission show that affluent localities like Greater Kailash, Vasant Kunj, Preet Vihar, Patparganj, Kalkaji and Chittaranjan Park — where RWAs are quite active — were lagging behind when compared to the residents in their neighbouring slums.
Areas which recorded 60% and above polling either fall in outer Delhi or belong to unauthorised colonies and slum clusters. The voter turnout in majority of the wards with upscale colonies remained below 50%. For instance, the Greater Kailash ward recorded only 42.4% of voting while the Bhati ward, which comprises slum and rural areas, recorded 65% of polling. Dwarka A, which is a model ward and a home to upper middle-class population, recorded only 40.8% of polling. The turnout in other urban wards like RK Puram, Lajpat Nagar, Hauz Khas, Safdarjung Enclave, Munirka, Malviya Nagar and Defence Colony was below 50%. Vasant Vihar and Vasant Kunj had 46.7% and 45.2% of voting respectively.
Similarly, in old Delhi, which has densely populated wards like Chandni Chowk, witnessed 49.71% turnout but wards like Bakhtawarpur in north Delhi recorded the highest with 68.78% voting. In 2012, Bakhtawarpur had the highest share of voter turnout—68%. Affluent areas like Civil Lines and Rajinder Nagar witnessed 49.7% and 48.61% turnout respectively.
In north corporation, most wards recorded 50%-60% of voting. Only seven wards — mostly from outer areas and unauthorised colonies — witnessed over 60% of polling.
In the east, Sundar Nagri recorded the highest polling — 63.92%. Eight wards recorded more than 60% of voting and all of them have a large number of unauthorised colonies and slum clusters. Areas like Mayur Vihar, Patparganj and Preet Vihar just crossed the 50% mark. Shakurpur was the only ward to have a turnout below 50%.
Election officials claim that weather too had role in the low turnout in some areas. But many people from urban localities didn’t cast votes at all. RWAs claim that they urged people in their area to cast their vote. Kapil Kakkar, RWA president of Jangpura Extension, said that a circular was sent out in this connection.
“We requested people to opt for NOTA if they were dissatisfied with any party. It is important to give a message to the political parties for not taking voters seriously,” Kakkar said. Ashutosh Dixit, founder of United Residents’ Joint Action (URJA), claimed that posters were circulated on social media platform to the residents and they were urged to cast their votes.