English
English
English
Voting for the Delhi MCD bypolls across 12 wards began at 7:30 AM, with 51 candidates including 26 women in the fray. The contest is primarily between AAP and BJP, both eyeing crucial municipal positions ahead of the result announcement on December 3.
Voting Continues in Delhi MCD Bypolls Across 12 Wards
New Delhi: Voting for the by-elections to 12 wards of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) began at 7:30 am on Saturday. Voting will continue until 5:30 pm for all seats. A total of 51 candidates are contesting in these by-elections, including 26 women. The results will be declared on December 3, and are considered crucial for both major political parties.
The main contest in this by-election is between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Following the BJP's strong performance in the assembly elections held earlier this year, this by-election has become a matter of prestige for both parties.
Of these 12 seats, the BJP previously held nine, while the AAP held three wards—Chandni Chowk, Dakshinpuri, and Chandni Mahal.
Currently, the BJP has 116 councillors in the MCD, while the AAP has 98. Therefore, the outcome of these seats will be crucial for the future politics of the corporation.
By-elections are being held in Greater Kailash, Shalimar Bagh-B, Ashok Vihar, Chandni Chowk, Chandni Mahal, Dichaun Kalan, Naraina, Sangam Vihar-A, South Puri, Mundka, Vinod Nagar, and Dwarka-B wards.
Eleven of these seats fell vacant when councillors became MLAs, while the Dwarka-B seat fell vacant in 2024 when former councillor Kamaljeet Sehrawat won the Lok Sabha elections.
The Delhi State Election Commission has set up 580 booths in 143 polling stations for voting. Tight security arrangements have been made, and additional police have been deployed in sensitive areas. The Election Commission has also appealed to voters to cast their votes fearlessly.
Out of 51 candidates, 26 are women.
Several seats are witnessing close contests between women candidates. In particular, in Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's former ward, the contest between BJP's Anita Jain and AAP's Babita Ahlawat has become quite interesting.
Significant voter turnout was seen at many polling stations since morning.
After casting her vote at the Shalimar Bagh polling station, a female voter said, "The people we vote for should advance society. I appeal to everyone to vote for the benefit of society."
Another voter said, "Voting is my duty. It is crucial to choose the right representative to ensure the safety of the country, society, and family."
Voting has been peaceful so far, and voter turnout is expected to increase further after noon. The Election Commission reported that arrangements at all polling stations are well-organized and people are voting enthusiastically.
