MCD bypolls on May 15, counting on May 17

The State Election Commission of Delhi on Tuesday announced that bypolls to 13 Municipal wards in the national Capital would be held on May 15. 

The counting of votes will be held on May 17. The nominations could be filed till April 25 and the candidates can withdraw their names by April 30. The political analysts said that the Municipal bypolls are a litmus test for all three major parties — AAP, BJP and Congress — as it will decide their fates in Municipal polls in 2017. All the procedures of the election would be completed by May 28.

Earlier, the State Election Commission was directed by the Delhi High Court to hold by-elections in the 13 municipal wards. The court also asked the Delhi government to provide funds for the same.

The BJP is now ruling over three MCDs in the city. This is for the first time that the Aam Aadmi Party, who got overwhelming majority in the Assembly elections held in February last year, will be contesting the polls. 

After losing the Assembly elections and Lok Sabha elections in Delhi, this election will be a real tough test for the Congress. Khichripur, Jhilmil, Wazirpur, Qamaruddin Nagar, Matiala, Nanakpura, Matimines, Vikas Nagar, Munirka, Shalimar Bagh North, Ballimaran, Nawada, Tehkhand are among the districts where by-elections would be held. A Bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath also directed the Delhi government to provide the requisite manpower and funds to the State Election Commission within four weeks from Tuesday for conducting the polls. The Delhi government had earlier suggested in the high court the option of advancing the 2017 MCD polls to September-October, 2016, when elections can be held for all the municipal wards.

The court, however, was of the view that it would not be appropriate to keep the 13 wards vacant for such a long time. The direction had come after SEC submitted that it was committed to holding by-elections to the vacant seats in four months, if the state government provides the requisite manpower, police personnel and funds. The government had then sought time to get back to the court on whether requisite manpower could be provided.