The Delhi State Election Commission (SEC) announced comprehensive guidelines to District Election Officers (DEOs) and Returning Officers (ROs) in preparation for the by-elections in 12 vacant Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) wards. These elections were necessitated by the election of one councillor, Kamaljeet Sehrawat, to the Parliament and the elevation of 11 others to Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). The SEC informed officials that the electoral rolls from the Assembly constituencies pertaining to these 12 wards have been adopted for the by-elections. These rolls have been updated based on the eligibility date of January 1, 2025, ensuring all eligible voters are included.
The Commission has instructed Returning Officers to prepare and verify the draft list of polling stations in accordance with the Ward Delimitation Order dated October 17, 2022. Objections and suggestions regarding these polling stations can be submitted to the relevant ROs until 3:00 p.m. on October 11. The final lists, after reviewing and addressing objections, must be submitted to the Election Commission for approval and printing by October 13. According to the guidelines, polling stations must be situated on the ground floor within the same ward to guarantee accessibility for voters. The exact location, including room numbers and whether located on the front, back, or in an annex building, must be clearly documented to avoid voter confusion.
Each polling station is designed to accommodate roughly 1,500 voters. The last MCD elections took place in 2022, with the next full-term elections set for 2027. These upcoming by-elections are anticipated to attract considerable attention as major political parties prepare to either maintain or regain their influence in Delhi’s municipal governance.