Elections were held for 12 Delhi Municipal Corporation wards on Sunday, recording a dismal 31.3% voter turnout. The bypolls witnessed a triangular contest between the BJP, AAP and Congress. This is the first significant test for the ruling party following a landslide victory during the Assembly elections earlier this year.
BJP had secured 48 seats out of 70 seats, forming a government in Delhi after 26 years. AAP secured victories from 22 seats and the Congress drew a blank for a third straight time.
Polling in the MCD elections began at 7:30 a.m. and ended at 5:30 p.m in 80 polling booths across 143 locations, sealing the fate of 51 candidates, including 26 women.
The BJP has fielded eight women candidates, the highest. This was followed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with six women candidates and Congress five.
A total of 2,320 election commission personnel, 580 home guards and 2,265 other personnel, along with 13 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces, were facilitating the electoral exercise, The Hindu reported.
Chandni Mahal recorded the highest turnout among all the wards at 41.95%.
Greatest turn out in Chandni Mahal, lowest in Greater Kailash
Of the 12 wards which went for by-polls, Chandni Mahal recorded the highest turnout at 41.95%. Greater Kailash registered the lowest turnout at just 20.87%, while Dwarka-B recorded 23.72% polling. Chandni Chowk saw 27.91% turnout, Ashok Vihar 28.13% and Shalimar Bagh-B 28.28%.
When will results be declared?
The votes will be counted on December 3. Results for these by-elections will be officially posted on the Delhi State Election Commission’s platform – ceodelhi.gov.in and covered by major news media, including Financial Express.
