Unified Delhi MCD to have 250 wards

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has notified the draft to alter the existing boundaries of wards of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The draft has been published on the website of the State Election Commission of Delhi to seek the general public’s opinion on this matter.

Earlier, the local body elections, which were going to take place in April, were postponed as the central government was planning to unify the erstwhile South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) and East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC). During the passage of the Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, the government informed that it plans to reduce the number of wards to 250 from 272.

For this purpose, the Delimitation Commission has introduced changes in the geographical area of 22 Vidhan Sabha constituencies out of 70. After completing the delimitation exercise, one ward has been reduced from each of the 22 constituencies while the rest of the 48 constituency remains untouched. The commission has chosen the constituency with more wards to reduce the number to 250. The constituencies whose area has been altered include Burari, Bawana, Rithala, Mundka, Najafgarh, Kirari, Bijwasan, Deoli, Narela, Babarpur, Okhla, Uttam Nagar and Vikaspuri. 

The ministry has put all the details regarding the redrawn boundaries along with maps on the commission website. All the stakeholders, including the general public, political parties and Resident Welfare Associations (RWA), can submit their suggestions and objections regarding the draft to the election commission by October 3. They could also submit the same at the Delimitation Committee’s reception counter at the building of the State Election Commission.

After considering the suggestions and objections of the general public, the commission will send the modified draft to the Home Ministry. Once the notification is issued, the State Election Commission can decide to organise the polls.