Voting for Delhi’s municipal bypolls began at 8 am in 13 wards on Sunday. An electorate of more than 6.5 lakh are eligible to cast their votes for 95 candidates contesting in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi bypolls, which is being considered indicative of the 2017 civic body elections. Voting will go on till 5pm, PTI reported.

Security was heightened at polling stations, especially in North Delhi wards that were identified as more sensitive than others by the Delhi State Election Commission. Some 200 of the 695 polling stations were identified as sensitive and ultra-sensitive, the commission said. It has deployed 2,500 staff to man the polling stations.

This is the Aam Aadmi Party’s maiden attempt at the by-elections. It is hoping to clinch its first victory in the contest against ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress.

Seven of the 13 wards going to the polls fall under the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, four are under the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, and two under the East Delhi Municipal Corporation. Votes will be counted from 8 am on May 17 at centres established in the 13 wards.