READY, SET, GO! CANDIDATES' FATE TO BE SEALED TODAY

52 crore people, including 2.52 lakh first-timers, to vote at 13,637 polling stations EC makes special arrangements to help voters amid sweltering heat

- UJWAL JALALI

The stage is set for the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections in Delhi, where people will vote for their political ‘leader of choice’ in seven parliamentary constituencies and send them to the lower house of Parliament.

A total of 162 candidates are in the fray, including Manoj Tiwari and Bansuri Swaraj of the BJP, Somnath Bharti and Kuldeep Kumar of the Aam Aadmi Party, and Kanhaiya Kumar and JP Agarwal of the Congress. A total of 1.52 crore voters, including 82 lakh male and 69 lakh female voters, as well as 1,228 third-gender individuals, are eligible to cast their votes at more than 13,000 polling booths in 2,627 places across the seven seats. Over 2.52 lakh first-time voters will cast their maiden votes in the city.

With 13,637 polling stations, including four auxiliary ones and 2,891 critical ones, 70 pink booths will also be set up, handled exclusively by women officials. Along with this, 70 model polling booths have been established for the voters.

From regular foot marches and night patrolling to increased border checking, the police have maintained intense and adequate security arrangements for the polling process to proceed peacefully.