Poll body to hold MC bypolls in 12 wards on November 30

The Delhi State Election Commission on Tuesday announced that bypolls for 12 vacant wards of the Municipal Corporation (MC) will be held on November 30, with counting of votes on December 3.

According to the notification schedule, nominations can be filed between November 3 and 10, and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is November 15.

The wards going to the polls are Vinod Nagar, Mundka, Shalimar Bagh-B, Greater Kailash, Ashok Vihar, Chandni Chowk, Chandi Mahal, Dwarka-B, Dichaon Kalan, Naraina, Sangam Vihar-A, and Dakshin Puri. Eleven of these fell vacant after sitting councillors were elected to the Delhi Assembly in February, while the Dwarka-B seat became vacant following Kamaljeet Sehrawat’s election to the Lok Sabha last year.

Following the announcement, political parties began preparations for the contest. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva welcomed the move, saying he was confident the outcome would be “one-sided in favour of the BJP”.

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav said the party was “fully prepared” to contest the bypolls, adding that the Congress had strengthened its booth-level organisation in recent months.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also said it is expected to “substantially increase its tally” in the by-elections.