Assembly elections: Delhi records highest voters' turnout, 67 per cent voting registered

New Delhi: An estimated 67 per cent turnout was recorded on Saturday in the crucial Delhi assembly polls where BJP and AAP were locked in a battle, outcome of which may have ramifications on the national political landscape.

"Around 67 per cent polling was recorded. However, we are still yet to get the final figure as voting continued beyond scheduled deadline of 6 PM," Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer Chandra Bhushan Kumar said.

The assembly election, held for the second time in little over one year, has been largely a direct contest between BJP and a resurgent AAP which has put up a tough fight under Arvind Kejriwal's leadership.

The elections are being considered significant as a victory for BJP will increase its confidence ahead of assembly polls in Bihar in 2015 and in West Bengal in 2016 while a defeat may bolster the opposition.

The BJP, which is out of power in Delhi for the last 16 years, made a no holds barred effort to win the polls. It is being billed by many as a referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a description rejected by BJP.

The Election Commission said the elections have been largely peaceful and that there was no major glitch in Electronic Voting Machines. 44 EVMs had to replaced.

In 2013 assembly polls, the overall voting percentage was 66 which was an increase of around 9 per cent from 57.58 per cent in 2008.

Kejriwal, who led AAP's spirited campaign, on Saturday exuded confidence of getting a clear mandate for his party as he said "truth will triumph" in the polls.

"I am confident that AAP will win the elections and form government in Delhi," he said.

His BJP rival Kiran Bedi rejected the exit poll results carried out by various news channels even as she spoke of taking "full responsibility" if her party suffers a loss.

Addressing a press conference, a visibly exhausted Bedi also thanked BJP for reposing "faith" in her wondering what the party "saw in her".

"I am sure the results would change if the surveys take into account voting post 3 PM. They are incomplete as the turn out from 3 PM to 6 PM has not been included. Then the verdict may go in BJP's favour," she said.