Delhi assembly polls unlikely to be advanced

The reason being that the revision of Delhi’s electoral rolls is yet to begin. The poll panel, while it is well within its rights to call polls in a state/Union territory within six months of completion of tenure of the House, is unlikely to advance matters as it was already working on the poll calendar for Delhi.

Delhi must have a new assembly in place by February 15, 2025 and due process is already underway.

As per a public notice issued by the Election Commission last week, the special summary revision of Delhi’s electoral rolls will only begin next month.

A draft electoral roll is expected to be in place by October 29 and after time is given for claims and objections, the final roll will be published by January 6, 2025.

This does not leave much of a window to advance Delhi polls significantly even if Kejriwal resigns and dissolves the House before completion of term.Some reworking, however, may be possible if the poll panel decides on holding Delhi polls alongside Jharkhand where a new state assembly must be in place by January 5. Jharkhand, however, is well primed for polls with its final electoral roll published just about a fortnight ago.Either way, the clock is now ticking clearly for the Delhi election. As per due process, the CM will be required to submit his resignation to Delhi’s LG. Until press time, the CM had not sought time with the LG for the same. However, it is expected he will do so on September 17.

The LG is also unlikely to waste any time in sending it ahead for the mandatory Presidential nod, sources indicated.

Similarly, while the tenure of the Legislative Assembly is five years, the LG can dissolve it before the completion of its term on the advice of the chief minister.