Counting for MCD bypolls in 12 wards to begin at 8 am

The counting of votes for the Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) bye-elections is underway across 12 wards. Early trends show the BJP leading in six wards, including Shalimar Bagh, Dwarka, Greater Kailash, Mundka, Vinod Nagar, Ashok Vihar, and Dichaon Kalan. These results are being closely watched as a litmus test for Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, whose “Viksit Delhi” agenda faces its first major electoral challenge since the Assembly polls earlier this year.

Why only 12 wards went to poll? Polling was held on 30 November across 580 booths, following 12 vacancies created when 11 councillors were elected to the Delhi Assembly and one to Parliament. Notably, the Shalimar Bagh-B ward became vacant as Gupta herself had been elected from there. Voter turnout varied across wards, with Chandni Mahal recording 55.93%, the highest, and Greater Kailash the lowest at 26.76%. The overall turnout was 38.51%, reflecting moderate public engagement.

Stakes for major parties: In the 250-member MCD House, the BJP currently holds 116 seats, AAP 99, Indraprastha Vikas Party 15, and Congress 8. For the BJP, these bypolls mark the first significant election since their Assembly victory. AAP and Congress are attempting to regain lost ground in the capital.