Delhi: BJP, Congress, AAP battle it out in civic by-polls in thirteen wards

The civil by-polls in thirteen wards across three Municipal Corporations of Delhi (MCD) areas kickstarted on 15 May. Polling began at 8AM and will conclude at 5PM.

While nine out of thirteen wards have remained unrepresented since December 2013, the rest are lying vacant since February 2015.

Nine of these 13 former councilors are now AAP legislators while the other four became legislators on BJP tickets in 2013 - but lost in 2015.

Seven wards in South Delhi Municipal Corporation, four in North Delhi Municipal Corporation and two in East Delhi Municipal Corporation will go for by-polls on 15 May.

The polls will witness a three way contest between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress. The results of the by-polls would be declared on 17 May.

The State Election Commission (SEC) has formed two teams to ensure free and fair polling in the civic by-polls.

The commission has set up 695 polling booths in the 13 wards and has also enlisted 2,500 personnel for poll duty.

The BJP, which has a strong hold over the civic bodies since 2007, is trying to beat the anti-incumbency factor by targeting the AAP Government.

The AAP, which is contesting the municipal elections for the first time, claimed it would win all the 13 seats.

The Congress, the principal opposition in all three civic bodies, however claimed both the BJP and AAP faced anti-incumbency.

--ANI