All-time low voter turnout in Old City, less than 32% recorded

AIMIM PRESIDENT Though well-known personalities in different walks of life posted their photographs with the inked finger, indicating that they had voted, it did not enthuse the others.

Appeals from religious and political leaders to the people to turn up and vote proved futile on Tuesday. In the Old City, particularly the Muslim pockets, the voting was at an all-time low. Some observers said it may not cross 32 per cent — which means that two out of three voters stayed away.

Surprisingly, it was observed that the turnout in the slum habitations also was very poor.

Though well-known personalities in different walks of life posted their photographs with the inked finger, indicating that they had voted, it did not enthuse the others.

Polling stations were almost deserted during the first couple of hours. Polling Booth No. 66 in Langer Houz saw less than 10 per cent of the voter turning up.

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi cast his vote at St. Faiz High School at Shastripuram in the morning. Youth were seen roaming one polling station to another in search of firsthand information. Many youths turned to media reporters for information to update their friends online they were posting instant information on social media.

It was seen that many candidates who were upset over low turnover instead of trying to encourage the voters to come out from their houses, tried to disturb the polling in areas which were considered as pockets of their opponents.