Many complain of deficiencies at Delhi polling stations; red carpet, flowers at model booths

As hordes of voters flocked to polling booths in the city Sunday, many complained of deficient measures and laxity on the part of the Election Commission in the conduct of polls, while red carpets were rolled out for a lucky few.

While model polling stations in the city greeted voters with flowers, had waiting areas with sofas, wheel chairs and ramps for the specially-abled, in far-off corners of the national capital people lined up at water taps of schools to quench their thirst.

Owais, a 19-year-old first-time voter who frantically scoured the premises of a government school in Nangloi trying to find his name on the electoral list, said, "No one helped me. It's been over half an hour and I am thirsty now.They should have at least made some arrangements for drinking water."

As plumes of dust blew into their face, block level officers at a school complained they were asked to sit under a tree.

"No tents or coolers for us. We have had nothing since morning, barring a cup of tea. This ..