Uploading a selfie flaunting an inked finger on social networking websites emerged as the latest fad today as Delhiites celebrated the once-in-a-five- year festival of democracy with great enthusiasm.
The inked finger - proof of casting one's vote -- became a status symbol as people were seen showing it off at public and cyber spaces alike.
The social networks were flooded with picture of inked finger with captions like "Feeling empowered", "I did my bit, and you?" as voting suddenly became 'cool' and all those young at heart showed it off with gusto.
"Be a responsible Indian, exercise your right to vote," wrote Sweta Garg along with her selfie on Twitter.
#GetInked was the top trending topic on Twitter in India while #Election 2014 was one of the top five trends on Facebook. #InkedForChange, Voted and Vote For India where also among the top ten trends in India on Twitter.
"If u do not #vote, u do not have the right to blame or #talk about #India. Go #GetInked now…," one Prashant Kyasa posted on Twitter.
Another youth, Pavan Yadav, took to Facebook to urge his friends to vote as he posted, "Delhi, it's important day for all so don't go by religion and advertisement ... U know who would be the best for India ... So do vote for bright future." The enthusiasm was palpable as out of the total 1.27 crore voters in Delhi, who were eligible to exercise their franchise, 3.37 lakh were first-timers.
The national capital had registered a total turn out of 60.1 per cent by 5 PM, far exceeding the final turn out of 2009 and was on course to register the highest turnout ever before voting stops at 6 PM.
The voting began at 7 AM for the seven Lok Sabha constituencies in Delhi where BJP, Congress and newbie AAP are engaged in a three-cornered electoral battle.
The prominent contenders in the fray include Union Ministers Kapil Sibal and Krishna Tirath, Delhi BJP Chief Harsh Vardhan, Congress General Secretary Ajay Maken, journalist-turned-politician Ashutosh, Sandeep Dikshit, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Rajmohan Gandhi, and BJP's Meenakshi Lekhi. PTI TAQ MRM
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