Democracy is Good

Outside the controlled area on Mahendra Roy Lane, party workers sit with voter lists. 

Kazi Nazrul school is the polling station in Mahendra Roy Lane, Tangra. The Representation of the People Act 1951 vests electoral officers with the power to request use of institutional premises for election purposes. 

The police officer heading security arrangements prepares key figures from the election officers before he calls his supervisor. 

1st Polling Officer. 2nd Polling Officer. 3rd Polling Officer. 

As I am leaving Mahendra Roy Lane, a trio of locals who have been trailing me over the past hour decide to come and make friends.    

Coal shop, Bhawanipur. Chip off the old block.

The ward has elected the current councillor Iqbal Ahmed twice - in 2005 on a Indian National Congress ticket, and 2010 on an All India Trinamool Congress ticket. 

Outside Lady Brabourne college, I seem to have woken up a minibus driver who was sleeping. Minibuses like these are typically contracted to help with transport of material and personnel on election days. 

On the other end of Alimuddin Street, Calcutta, a tailor shop works late into the night. There is talk of a Left revival, but one suspects it is too long in the making. 

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) swept the 2015 Delhi Legislative Assembly polls with 67 out of 70 seats. 

Cheerful supporters offer to face paint fellow supporters in the national colours outside the grounds.

Security forces gently ask a volunteer to calm down and not obstruct the view.

Arvind Kejriwal rejoices. 

Access to the grounds is sealed once it fills up. Screens outside live stream the function. 

A volunteer celebrates outside the Ramleela Maidan at the swearing in of the Chief Minister.  

AK-67, aka Arvind Kejriwal.