As mercury goes north, election body appeals Delhiites to vote before boarding for Shimla and Mussoorie

In 2014 Delhi had registered a record poll percentage of 64% for Lok Sabha while 67.08% is all time voting record achieved in Delhi Assembly Elections 2015.

Delhi, the national capital city of India, has been given the date of May 12 to use its franchise for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. As the date is over around a month deeper into the summer season in comparison to previous Lok Sabha elections, the election body seems conscious on scorching heat may drive the voters towards hills stations.

"Vote on first priority, then go to Shimla and Mussoorie (Sabse Pahle Matadaan Jaroori, Uske Baad Shimla Mussoorie)" this slogan is the part of Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer's campaign under Systematic Voter's Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme of the Office of Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi, the state level body of Election Commission of India. These slogans could be seen on DTC buses. In fact, the voter's chances to go to hill stations or outside has increased due to two more reasons – firstly, the results of 10^th and 12^th board examinations have been declared and secondly, its Sunday on 12^th May. These factors have increased the pressure of performance of Delhi's election body as an increase in voter's turn out is one of the defined criteria for evaluating the performance of the poll bodies both in media and also at the official level.

In 2014, Delhi had registered a record 64% voting which was only 51.4% in 2009. Since 1991, it was only in 1996 and 1998, the poll percentage in Delhi was slightly above 50%. Although the weather is not the only factor it has been a crucial factor in deciding the voting percentage in Delhi. In 2009, Delhi had voted on May 7, which was also considered a reason behind low turnout. It would be interesting to see the success of the poll body's outreach efforts in promoting voting among the folks who have a tendency to migrate towards hills in the summers.

The voters' turnout registered a spectacular 16% increase in Delhi Assembly elections 2008 due to highly proactive SVEEP campaign of Delhi's poll body with the help of 'Pappu Can't Vote' jingle. In that election, around 59% of voters had exercised their franchise in comparison of 43% electors voted in 2007 MCD elections. In Delhi Assembly Election 2015, the city registered 67.08% voter turnout that is the highest record for the national capital.