Despite having the Electoral Photo Identity card people were allegedly sent back by authorities for not possessing a letter issued by the State Election Commission requesting citizens to vote.
People in several areas of the city on Sunday could not vote despite having the Electoral Photo Identity card as they were allegedly sent back by authorities for not possessing a letter issued by the State Election Commission requesting citizens to vote.
Residents in South and North Delhi complained that they were not allowed to vote despite having valid photo identity card.
"I was told that I cannot vote as I did not receive the letter (from the commission)," said Krishna Kumar, a resident of Nizamuddin in South Delhi.
However, Commission officials said it was not mandatory to carry the letter and clear instructions were given that Electoral Photo Identity Card holders were totally entitled to vote.
In a unique initiative, Delhi's State Election Commission has sent personalised letters to each of the 1.15 crore voters requesting them to vote in the civic polls.
The personalised letters, delivered by EC staff in 272 wards, have all the required details for voters like location of polling station, serial number in the voters' list and name of the ward, besides photo of the voter.
People in Rajouri Garden, Laxmi Nagar, Mehrauli and some other areas also claimed that they were not allowed to vote for not possessing the letter.
"I could not vote as they (commission officials) said I should have carried the letter. I did not receive any such letter," said a voter.
The start of voting was delayed at a few places due to malfunctioning of the EVMs. Some people, including Congress Rajya Sabha member Pervez Hashmi, complained about not finding their names in the electoral rolls.
Around 63.25-66.70 lakh lakh voters exercised their franchise this time compared to 42.35 lakh out of a total of around 99 lakh in 2007.
If the polling percentage touches 60 per cent, then the figure will rise to 69 lakh, the State Election Commissioner said.
He said trends showed the highest turnout was recorded for the East Delhi Corporation followed by the North Delhi.
The South Delhi Corporation registered the lowest turnout.
As per available statistics, people in rural areas came out in large numbers compared to those in urban localities.
There were no complaints of irregularities, including that of booth capturing or bogus voting, Mehta said thanking Delhi Police Commissioner B K Gupta for the peaceful voting.
BJP, which has 164 Councillors against Congress' 67 and BSP's 17 in the undivided MCD, had raised the issue of alleged corruption in the Sheila Dikshit government during the campaigning.
Congress targeted the saffron party for its "inefficient and corrupt" administration in MCD.
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