Delhi, November 30, 2025 – Voting began on Sunday morning for the 12 vacant wards of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), setting the stage for a crucial three-way electoral battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Congress. This election marks the first direct test for all three major parties in the capital since the Assembly elections held on February 5.

Polling officially started at 7:30 a.m. across 580 polling booths, staffed by 2,320 personnel from the Delhi State Election Commission (SEC). By 9:30 a.m., the voter turnout had reached 5.40 per cent, indicating a slow but steady start to the day.

The Delhi State Election Commission has ensured that voters have access to public transport, with metro services beginning at 4 a.m. and the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) operating special bus services from 3 a.m., both on the polling day and on December 3, when counting is scheduled to take place.

Security Arrangements

Security remains a priority for the MCD bypolls. A total of 2,265 security personnel have been deployed, along with 580 Home Guards and 13 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces. The measures aim to ensure a smooth and peaceful polling process amid heightened political activity in several wards of the city.

Wards and Voting Locations

Polling is being conducted in 12 wards, including both general and reserved constituencies:

• Mundka (General)
• Shalimar Bagh-B (Women)
• Ashok Vihar (Women)
• Chandni Chowk (General)
• Chandni Mahal (General)
• Dwarka-B (Women)
• Dichaon Kalan (Women)
• Naraina (General)
• Sangam Vihar-A (General)
• Dakshin Puri (SC)
• Greater Kailash (Women)
• Vinod Nagar (General)

At a booth in Shalimar Bagh, voters encouraged participation, emphasizing the importance of choosing representatives who prioritize the larger good of society. “Those we vote for should take society forward. I would also appeal to the people to do whatever is in the best interest of society,” said a local voter, echoing the sentiments of many residents. Another voter commented, “I have cast my vote because it is my duty to put my country, society, and family in the safest hands. By voting, I can choose the best people.”

The Political Stakes

The bypolls have emerged as a critical three-way contest. For the BJP, the election is the first electoral test since its recent Assembly victory, giving the party an opportunity to consolidate its position in Delhi’s civic administration. For AAP, which suffered setbacks in the MCD during previous elections, this contest represents a chance to regain ground in local governance. Congress, meanwhile, hopes to maintain its relevance and carve out space in wards where it has traditionally maintained pockets of support.

Eight of the BJP’s candidates are women, reflecting the party’s focus on female representation. The BJP candidates for the 12 wards include:

• Jaipal Singh Saral (Mundka)
• Anita Jain (Shalimar Bagh-B)
• Veena Asija (Ashok Vihar)
• Suman Kumar Gupta (Chandni Chowk)
• Sunil Sharma (Chandni Mahal)
• Manisha Rajpal Sehrawat (Dwarka-B)
• Rekha Rani (Dichaon Kalan)
• Chandrakanta Shivani (Naraina)
• Rohini Raj (Dakshin Puri)
• Subhrajeet Gautam (Sangam Vihar-A)
• Anjum Mandal (Greater Kailash)
• Sarla Chaudhary (Vinod Nagar)

Congress has fielded:

• Mukesh (Mundka)
• Sarita Kumari (Shalimar Bagh-B)
• Vishakha Rani (Ashok Vihar)
• Ajay Kumar Jain (Chandni Chowk)
• Kunwar Shehzad Ahmed (Chandni Mahal)
• Sumita Malik (Dwarka-B)
• Rashmi Sharma (Dichaon Kalan)
• Manoj Tanwar (Naraina)
• Suresh Choudhary (Sangam Vihar-A)
• Vikram (Dakshin Puri)
• Shikha Kapur (Greater Kailash)
• Vinay Shankar Dubey (Vinod Nagar)

AAP’s candidates include:

• Ram Swaroop Kanojia (Dakshin Puri)
• Anuj Sharma (Sangam Vihar-A)
• Eeshna Gupta (Greater Kailash)
• Geeta Rawat (Vinod Nagar)
• Babita Ahlawat (Shalimar Bagh-B)

Logistics and Election Management

The SEC has emphasized smooth conduct of elections through adequate staffing and technology. Each booth is equipped with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and voter lists have been meticulously updated. The poll officials are tasked with ensuring compliance with COVID-19 protocols and maintaining order throughout the day.

The early turnout of 5.40 per cent reflects cautious voter participation, with residents arriving in small numbers during the initial hours. Political analysts suggest that voter engagement may increase later in the day as voters take advantage of early public transport services and move toward booths during off-peak hours.

Campaign Themes and Public Sentiment

Candidates and parties have focused on local governance issues, including sanitation, public health, infrastructure, and civic amenities. Residents have expressed a strong desire for efficient civic services, highlighting the significance of these bypolls beyond party politics.

Voters at several polling stations emphasized that responsible voting is key to ensuring the development and safety of neighborhoods. “Choosing representatives is not just about party loyalty, it is about putting our wards and society in capable hands,” said one voter at a polling booth in Naraina.

Security and Contingency Planning

Given the multi-party stakes and history of intense campaigning in Delhi’s municipal wards, the SEC and Delhi Police have coordinated security protocols to prevent clashes or disruptions. In addition to the personnel deployed at polling booths, mobile units and rapid response teams are on standby in case of emergencies.

Authorities have also ensured smooth vehicular movement, with special bus and metro services running early in the morning. This is expected to facilitate voter turnout, particularly in areas where transportation options are limited.

Looking Ahead: Counting and Implications

The counting of votes is scheduled for December 3, 2025, when all results from the 12 wards will be declared. Political observers are watching closely, as the outcomes may signal shifts in voter sentiment following the Assembly elections and influence strategies for future local and state-level contests.

For the BJP, strong performance could solidify its control over civic administration, reinforcing governance claims post-Assembly victory. For AAP, regaining lost ground in the MCD could serve as a strategic foothold, while Congress hopes to leverage localized support in key wards to retain political relevance.

Conclusion

As polling continues across Delhi’s 12 wards, the emphasis remains on high voter participation, fair conduct, and efficient management of polling logistics. With a three-way contest shaping up between BJP, AAP, and Congress, these bypolls are not just a test of party strength, but also a reflection of citizens’ expectations from local governance.

Early reports indicate a modest turnout, but with the day progressing, election authorities expect higher engagement. The outcomes on December 3 will provide important insights into voter preferences, party organization, and the broader political landscape in Delhi ahead of future electoral battles.