Delhi State Election Commission has made elaborate and strict arrangements for the counting of votes for the by-elections of 12 wards of MCD. After the elections of 12 wards which were held on November 30, counting of votes will start at 10 places from 8 am on Wednesday. The picture is expected to be clear on all seats by 12 o’clock and results are expected to be declared by 1 o’clock. The Commission has ensured elaborate arrangements by coordinating with the administration and security agencies to make the counting process completely transparent, secure and systematic. The first election result is likely to come from Greater Kailash.
According to the Commission, all the counting centers have been equipped with necessary technical and physical facilities. Counting of votes of the respective wards will take place at these places. Strong rooms have been secured everywhere, where EVM machines are kept under CCTV surveillance amid tight security. For this, 1800 Delhi Police personnel and 10 companies of CAPF have been deployed. Representatives of political parties have also been given the facility to watch live CCTV surveillance.
Adequate number of tables, counting supervisors, assistants, power backup and facilities for media and agents of authorized political parties have been provided in the counting halls. The Commission said that about 700 employees have been deployed for counting of votes. Authorized representatives of political parties will be allowed to enter the counting venue only after identity verification. According to State Election Commission officials, the chances of getting the results late are from Dichaun Kala and Naraina wards, where the number of booths and candidates is more.
By-election results will reveal the cards of Delhi politics
The picture of by-elections of 12 wards of MCD will be clear by 12 noon today and the results will be expected by 1 o’clock. In such a situation, while last night was spent in the calculations of victory and defeat for the candidates, today with the commencement of counting of votes, their heartbeats will be fast and slow. Although these results will not make much difference to the BJP, which is in power in MCD with absolute majority, but in the eyes of the public, victory or defeat will prove to be an assessment for the double engine government.
The results will decide whether BJP’s influence among the people remains intact under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta? Or has Aam Aadmi Party started making inroads among the people again? Or is Congress’s exile nearing its end? The direction and condition of Wednesday’s vote counting will seal all these questions. Leaders of BJP, Aam Aadmi Party and Congress are taking the results of this by-election very seriously. From candidate selection to ward-wise strategy, booth management to social media campaign, everyone had put in their best efforts. While BJP kept seeking votes on its work and development agenda, Aam Aadmi Party had made issues like pollution, non-fulfillment of promises etc. Congress had continuously organized regional meetings and public relations campaigns to activate the traditional vote bank.
On the other hand, if political analysts are to be believed, if BJP wins most of the seats, it will be a direct message that the public is still with it. For Congress, victory on one or two seats will also boost its morale. Before the results, there is intense activity in the offices of political parties. Let us tell you that BJP has described it as the semi-final of the MCD general elections to be held in the year 2027, while Aam Aadmi Party is considering it as an opportunity to strengthen its credibility among the public. For Congress, the result will indicate whether its ground is getting back or whether a long wait is still ahead.
