New Delhi – The State Election Commission (SEC) of Delhi has officially announced that MCD bypolls for 12 vacant wards of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi will be conducted on November 30, 2025, with vote counting scheduled for December 3. This announcement marks a significant moment in Delhi’s municipal politics as parties prepare to contest for seats that became vacant following the election of councillors to higher legislative positions.
The MCD bypolls come at a time when the BJP currently holds majority control of the corporation with 116 councillors, followed by the Aam Aadmi Party with 98 councillors, making these elections crucial for both parties’ municipal governance strategies.
Reasons Behind the Vacant Seats
According to the SEC, the MCD bypolls have been necessitated after 11 councillors were elected as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) earlier in 2025. Additionally, the Dwarka-B ward has remained vacant since last year following Kamaljeet Sehrawat’s election as Member of Parliament from West Delhi constituency.
Of the 12 vacant seats going to the MCD bypolls, nine were previously held by BJP councillors and three by AAP councillors, creating an interesting dynamic where the BJP has more seats to defend while AAP sees an opportunity to rebuild its municipal presence.
Complete List of Wards for MCD Bypolls
The MCD bypolls will be held across 12 wards spread throughout Delhi, covering both general and reserved categories. The wards include Shalimar Bagh-B, Greater Kailash, Ashok Vihar, Chandni Chowk, Chandni Mahal, Dwarka-B, Dichaon Kalan, Naraina, Sangam Vihar-A, Dakshin Puri, Mundka, and Vinod Nagar.
These wards represent diverse geographical and demographic segments of Delhi, from the upscale Greater Kailash to densely populated areas like Sangam Vihar-A, ensuring the MCD bypolls will serve as a comprehensive test of political sentiment across different sections of the capital.
Election Schedule and Nomination Process
The SEC has laid out a detailed timeline for the MCD bypolls. The election notification will be issued on November 3, 2025, marking the official commencement of the electoral process. Candidates will have the opportunity to file their nominations from November 3 through November 10, providing a week-long window for potential contestants.
The withdrawal of candidature for the MCD bypolls will be permitted until November 15, giving candidates and political parties time to finalize their strategies and ticket distribution. The Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect in all 12 wards and will remain operational until the completion of the entire election process.
Current Political Landscape of MCD
The MCD bypolls occur against the backdrop of significant political upheaval in Delhi’s municipal governance. Following the 2022 unification and delimitation exercise, the MCD area was reorganized into 250 municipal wards. In the 2022 municipal elections, AAP had secured a majority with 134 seats, while BJP won 104 seats and Congress obtained eight.
However, the political landscape shifted dramatically after a series of defections and legal battles. The BJP secured majority control earlier this year, fundamentally altering the power dynamics within the corporation. A faction of AAP councillors broke away to form the Indraprastha Vikas Party (IVP), further weakening AAP’s position in the municipal body.
According to official records, the current strength stands at BJP with 116 councillors, AAP with 98, IVP with 15, Congress with 8, and one Independent, making the MCD bypolls results potentially significant for the overall balance of power.
BJP’s Confident Response to MCD Bypolls
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva expressed strong confidence in his party’s prospects in the MCD bypolls. “In the past eight months, the people of Delhi have witnessed how, after the formation of the BJP’s ‘triple-engine’ government, Delhi’s development has gained a new direction and momentum,” Sachdeva stated.
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He predicted that the MCD bypolls results will “come one-sidedly in favour of the BJP,” claiming that voters will overwhelmingly support the party based on its recent governance record. This confidence stems from BJP’s current majority position and its control at multiple levels of governance in Delhi.
AAP’s Strategic Outlook
In an official statement regarding the MCD bypolls, AAP acknowledged the electoral challenge while expressing optimism about its prospects. “Out of these, nine seats were previously held by BJP councillors who became MLAs in the recent Assembly elections, while three were held by AAP councillors who have also been elected as MLAs,” the party noted.
AAP expressed confidence that it will “significantly increase its tally” in the MCD bypolls, suggesting an aggressive campaign strategy to reclaim lost ground in municipal governance. The party views these elections as an opportunity to demonstrate continued public support despite recent setbacks.
Implications for Delhi Politics
The MCD bypolls represent more than just municipal seat contests; they serve as a barometer for broader political trends in Delhi. The results could influence momentum heading into future state and national elections, making them closely watched by political observers and party strategists.
With the Model Code of Conduct now in effect and parties gearing up for intensive campaigning, the MCD bypolls promise to be a keenly contested electoral battle that will shape Delhi’s municipal governance landscape and potentially provide insights into the evolving political preferences of the capital’s residents.
Conclusion
As Delhi prepares for the MCD bypolls on November 30, all eyes will be on these 12 wards to gauge public sentiment and party strength. The December 3 counting day will reveal whether BJP can consolidate its majority or if AAP can mount a successful comeback in municipal politics.
