Delhi SEC launches by‑elections in 12 MCD wards after MLA exits

• by Aarav Chatterjee
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On Oct 11, 2025, the Delhi State Election Commission announced that it has begun the logistical sprint for by‑elections in twelve wards of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The move comes after a wave of resignations triggered by the February 2025 Legislative Assembly polls, which saw several councilors win MLA seats, and after Kamaljeet Sahrawat—a BJP MP—vacated the Dwarka B council seat. One of the most closely watched wards, Shalimar Bag B, was previously represented by former chief minister Rekha Gupta. Across the twelve wards, roughly 6.85 lakh registered voters will head to the polls once the dates are set later this month.

Why the twelve wards are suddenly empty

Everything boiled down to the February 2025 Delhi Assembly election. Eleven councilors turned legislators, forcing them to surrender their municipal seats as mandated by the Municipal Corporation Act, 1957. In addition, Dwarka B became vacant in June 2024 when Sahrawat won the Lok Sabha seat from New Delhi. The empty wards—Mundka, Shalimar Bag‑B, Ashok Vihar, Chandni Chowk, Chandni Mahol, Dwarka B, Dichaun Kala, Narayana, Sangam Vihar‑E, South Puri (SC), Greater Kailash and Vinod Nagar—span key assembly segments like Matiala, Rajendra Nagar, and Patel Ganj.

Legal framework and voter list updates

The commission clarified that the January 1, 2025 updated electoral roll will serve as the basis for the by‑elections, as prescribed under Section 7(e) of the Municipal Corporation Act. It also confirmed that any supplementary lists filed before the nomination deadline will be merged into the final roll. This ensures that recent residents and newly‑eligible voters aren’t left out.

Preparing the ground: polling stations and staff

April 2025 saw the appointment of election officers and revisors for the twelve wards. By early October, district election officers—who double as district magistrates—received letters urging them to log suggestions or objections about polling‑station layouts. The commission’s new directive mandates that every polling station sit on the ground floor and accommodate no more than 1,500 voters. This cap aims to avoid the crowd‑ing issues that plagued the 2022 municipal polls.

All Return‑ing Officers have been told to lock in the final list of polling stations by Oct 13. Sensitive and hyper‑sensitive booths are being flagged for additional security, an effort designed to keep the process smooth in densely populated areas like Chandni Chowk.

Timeline and expectations

Commission insiders say the official dates will likely be released after Diwali, with the goal of wrapping up polling before the end of October 2025. Once the notification lands, candidates will have a short window to file nominations, followed by a brief campaign period. The commission also rolled out a mobile app and a single‑window portal for real‑time grievance redressal, a nod to the transparency push championed after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Political parties gear up

The Indian National Congress has already begun ground‑level coordination, deploying field workers to canvass neighborhoods where its traditional base remains strong, such as in Subhash Park. The Bharatiya Janata Party, still riding high after Sahrawat’s parliamentary win, is focusing on consolidating its foothold in the South Puri (SC) and Greater Kailash wards—areas where it performed well in the 2025 assembly race.

Local Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, though not mentioned in the press note, are rumored to be eyeing the Mundka and Vinod Nagar wards, where they secured over 40 % of the vote share last year. Analysts say the outcome could shift the power balance within the MCD, potentially affecting the mayoral election slated for early 2026.

Key facts at a glance

• 12 MCD wards to hold by‑elections; total electorate: ~6.85 lakh.
• Vacancies stem from Feb 2025 Assembly win (11 councilors) and a 2024 Lok Sabha win (Dwarka B).
• Nomination deadline and final polling‑station list due by Oct 13, 2025.
• Polling stations capped at 1,500 voters; all on ground floor.
• Results expected before the end of October 2025.

What this means for Delhi’s civic landscape

If the Congress or AAP manages to wrest control of even a few of these strategic wards, the composition of the 12‑member council that elects the MCD mayor could tilt away from the BJP‑led alliance that currently dominates. That shift would influence budget allocations for key services—waste management, road repairs, and the much‑debated water‑supply upgrade—across the capital.

Moreover, the by‑elections serve as an early barometer for public sentiment ahead of the 2026 mayoral race and the 2027 state assembly elections. Voter turnout will be a litmus test for how engaged citizens remain after the high‑octane February polls.