Polling for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) by-elections will take place on Sunday. Voting will start at 7.30 am and end at 5.30 pm. A total of 51 candidates are in the race. The State Election Commission will announce the results on December 3.

This election is important because it will show voter mood after the Bharatiya Janata Party’s strong performance in the recent Delhi Assembly elections.

Voting will take place at 580 booths set up inside 143 polling stations. The 12 wards going to polls are Greater Kailash, Shalimar Bagh B, Ashok Vihar, Chandni Chowk, Chandni Mahal, Dichaon Kalan, Naraina, Sangam Vihar A, Dakshin Puri, Mundka, Vinod Nagar and Dwarka B.

Eleven of these seats became vacant after their councillors won seats in the Delhi Assembly. This includes Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who earlier represented Shalimar Bagh B. Meanwhile, the Dwarka B seat has remained empty since 2024, when former councillor Kamaljeet Sehrawat was elected to Parliament from West Delhi.

Women candidates and party positions

Out of the 51 candidates, 26 are women. The BJP has fielded 8 women candidates. The Aam Aadmi Party has nominated 6 women, while the Congress has put forward 5.

Earlier, the BJP controlled 9 of these 12 wards. On the other hand, AAP held Chandni Chowk, Dakshin Puri and Chandni Mahal.

At present, the MCD has 116 BJP councillors, 98 from AAP, 15 from the Indraprastha Vikas Party, 8 from the Congress and one independent member. In Shalimar Bagh B, the former seat of the Chief Minister, BJP’s Anita Jain is facing AAP’s Babita Ahlawat.

BJP expresses confidence

The BJP has said it is fully ready for the bypolls. Party leaders believe voters will reward the government for its work.

“BJP is all prepared and confident for tomorrow’s MCD by-polls. People expect performance from us, and we will deliver. So we expect a grand win in this election on the basis of our Delhi government’s and MCD’s performance,” said Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor.

AAP attacks BJP’s civic performance

AAP leaders also said they are confident about winning a majority of the seats. They claimed that people are unhappy with the BJP’s performance in the MCD.

“Public feedback shows clear dissatisfaction with BJP and a demand to restore AAP’s accountable governance. We expect to win a majority of these seats because residents have seen a steep decline in cleanliness, sanitation, and basic civic services over the past nine months. Voters see AAP as the only credible choice,” AAP officials said.

However, a setback came for AAP on Saturday. Former two-time MLA Rajesh Gupta joined the BJP. He said that he was not valued in his party. In response, Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj said Gupta wanted a councillor ticket for his wife, which the party could not give, and wished him well for the future.

Congress hopes to regain ground

The Congress is also expecting support from voters. Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devender Yadav said people are disappointed with both BJP and AAP.

“We are fully prepared for the MCD bye-elections, and in the last month, the Congress workers have worked hard day and night in all the 12 wards. People are looking at Congress as an alternative for the future,” he said.

Transport and voting facilities arranged

For polling day, the State Election Commission has made special transport arrangements. DTC buses will start running from 3:00 am. Delhi Metro services will begin at 4:00 am on both polling and counting days. Night bus services on 28 routes will continue as usual. The last metro will leave at 11:30 pm from all terminal stations on polling day.

Voters can use the “Nigam Chunav Delhi” mobile app to check real-time queue status. They can also find their polling station, see candidate details and search for their name on the voter list. The app also provides support such as wheelchairs, assistants and pick-up and drop-off services.

“The commission has redesigned the Voter Information Slip with a new QR code for BLO authentication and added important instructions on the back. We have also extended home voting facilities for disabled voters and those above 80 years of age, helping them exercise their franchise with dignity and comfort,” an SEC official said.