Delhi Unlikely to See Early Elections as Poll Body Says ‘No Urgency’ Despite Kejriwal's Demand

Reported By: Pallavi Ghosh

According to Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s calculations, early polls will give the chief minister --- who walked out of jail after five months in the excise policy case --- sympathy as he wants public memory to remain intact. (PTI)

According to the Election Commission, a caretaker chief minister can take care of the state administration till polls which, as per schedule, are just a couple of months away in February

Delhi is unlikely to see early elections despite the demand by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to hold polls along with Maharashtra in November, top sources in the Election Commission (EC) have told CNN-News18.

Delhi is expected to have a new chief minister on Tuesday but it’s also likely that going by Kejriwal’s call for early polls, the New Delhi CM could dissolve the assembly, forcing EC to allow simultaneous polls.

According to Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s calculations, early polls will give the chief minister — who walked out of jail after five months in the excise policy case — sympathy as he wants public memory to remain intact .

However, the sources said Kejriwal’s wish may remain unfulfilled due to several reasons. One, as per the poll body, several factors are considered while fixing the election schedule and one party or government cannot dictate the same. According to EC, there is a government in Delhi which has the numbers and is stable. Hence, there is no urgency for polls to be advanced. Even if the assembly is dissolved, there is time for polls. EC says a caretaker chief minister can take care of the state administration till polls which, as per schedule, are just a couple of months away in February.

Also, the last date of publication of electoral rolls in Delhi is January 6 so advancement of polls is not possible.

Apart from this, the sources said holding Delhi elections with Maharashtra and Jharkhand polls would put strain on security forces who need to be stationed in Maharashtra’s sensitive areas like Gadchiroli where Naxals are active. Jharkhand too faces the Red menace and hence, these two states would be top priority for EC so far as security is concerned.

There is no restriction on the tenure of a caretaker chief minister but usually, it’s expected to last for at least three months till polls. In some cases, the Centre may say they don’t think polls can be held as per schedule so President’s Rule is promulgated. However, both government and EC sources have made it clear that there are no such plans and, for now, Delhi is set for polls as per schedule.