55 percent voting in Delhi civic polls

New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) The total voter turnout for Delhi's civic polls held Sunday was 55 percent, Delhi's election commissioner Rakesh Mehta said describing it as "impressive but below the anticipated 60 percent".

East Delhi had the highest voting percentage at 57 percent. It was followed by north Delhi at 55 percent, and south Delhi finishing last at 53 percent.

"It was an impressive voter turnout, the Delhiites played the 'Dabangg' role," Mehta said briefing the press Monday.

"But in certain up-scale areas of south Delhi, the people became 'pappu', and the voting percent was low," he said.

The term 'Dabangg', or fearless, was used by the poll panel to describe those coming forward to vote. The term 'Pappu' was used for ones who did not vote.

Mehta said poll boycott in two villages also contributed to the dip in voting percentage.

He also said that in many areas, voting went much beyond its scheduled time of 5.30 p.m., and even ended as late as 7.45 p.m.

The voting percentage in Delhi in this civic poll has been highest in years. It was 42 percent in 2007, 52 percent in 2002, and 41 percent in 1997.