Delhi polls: RS MP Swati Maliwal appeals public to participate in "biggest festival of democracy"

New Delhi [India], February 5 (ANI): Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Wednesday cast her vote for the Delhi assembly polls and appealed to the voters to participate in the "biggest festival of democracy" by casting their vote and exercising their democratic rights.
Emphasising the importance of the voting, Maliwal said that the people's votes are important as they will decide the future of the national capital, adding that she has cast her vote for the development of Delhi.
After casting her vote, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal said, "I appeal to the people of Delhi to come out in large numbers and cast their votes. Your votes are very important; they will decide the future of the national capital. I have also cast my vote for the development of Delhi. The people of Delhi must participate in the biggest festival of democracy and must cast their votes..."
Meanwhile, the national capital recorded a slow voter turnout of 8.10 per cent as of 9 am in the single-phase Delhi assembly elections, as per the Election Commission of India.
North East district of Delhi recorded the highest turnout of 10.70 per cent among all districts of the national capital followed by South West district with 9.34 per cent.
The New Delhi district recorded a sluggish turnout of 6.51 per cent.
As per the ECI, the Central district recorded a turnout of 6.67 per cent, East 8.21 per cent, North 7.12 per cent, North West 7.66 per cent, Shahdara 8.92 per cent, South 8.43 per cent, South East 8.36 per cent and West 6.76 per cent.
Polling for 70 assembly seats of Delhi began on Wednesday morning. Voting commenced at 7.00 am today and will continue till 6pm.
In Delhi, the prominent contested constituencies include New Delhi, Jangpura, Kalkaji, Ohkla, Mustafabad, Bijwasan, Kasturba Nagar, Greater Kailash, Patparganj, etc.
These elections are high-stakes elections for AAP, BJP and Congress, as, AAP is hoping to retain its power for the third term while the BJP is eyeing to regain power after almost 27 years.
Congress which once ruled the state for 15 years has struggled to claim even a seat in the 2015 and 2020 elections. In this election, the party is hoping for a return.
AAP, which currently holds more than 60 seats in the 70-seat assembly, seeks re-election based on its previous terms' achievements.
The counting of votes will take place on February 8.
Swati Maliwal has been vocal in her criticism of AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal. On February 3, she was detained by Delhi Police, as she was protesting outside Kejriwal's residence, over the government's failure to clean the Yamuna River.
Maliwal, along with a group of women from Purvanchal, arrived at Kejriwal's residence after collecting water from the Yamuna. (ANI)