MCD bypolls: SEC asks Returning Officers to finalise polling stations

The State Election Commission (SEC) on Saturday directed the Returning Officers to finalise polling stations for their wards by October 13.

The direction is a part of preparations for the byelections to 12 wards of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). On Thursday, the SEC published a draft list of polling stations, inviting suggestions or objections from the voters.

Each ward is linked to an Assembly constituency, and the electoral rolls of the Assembly election,last updated on January 1, 2025, will be used for the MCD bypolls.

An official said a meeting will soon be held with the Chief Secretary of Delhi to finalise the date of the byelections.

“The date will be announced next week, after considering upcoming festivals, ongoing exams, and other logistical and security requirements, to ensure a smooth and fair electoral process,” the official said.

The byelections were necessitated after MCD councilors vacated the seats following their election to higher offices.

The Dwarka B seat fell vacant in June 2024, when BJP councillor Kamaljeet Sherawat was elected to the Lok Sabha. Shalimar Bagh-B seat was vacated after Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s election from the same Assembly constituency. Additional vacancies arose when councillors from both AAP and BJP won seats in the February 2025 Delhi Assembly election.

Of the 12 wards, five are reserved for women, and one for a Scheduled Caste candidate. The remaining six are general category seats. The wards going to polls include Mundka, Shalimar Bagh-B, Ashok Vihar, Chandni Chowk, Chandni Mahal, Dwarka B, Dichaon Kalan, Naraina, Sangam Vihar-A, Dakshin Puri, Greater Kailash, and Vinod Nagar.

The SEC said training of election officers is underway. The poll body also announced that voters above 85 years of age and persons with disabilities will be able to request wheelchairs, transportation, and other support services online. These services will be made available through the Nigam Chunav Delhi app, which the SEC launched in earlier elections.

A meeting was held on Saturday with the Delhi Police Commissioner to review law and order.