Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Following Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s announcement of his intent to resign and call for early elections, experts and election officials have pointed out multiple challenges that could impede holding state assembly elections in November instead of the scheduled February 2025. Key concerns include insufficient preparation time, ongoing electoral roll revisions, and necessary checks of electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Kejriwal declared on Sunday that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would elect a new chief minister after his resignation. However, electoral experts note that unless the Delhi Legislative Assembly is dissolved, early elections are unlikely. “Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation will dissolve the cabinet but not the assembly. Without dissolving the assembly, the possibility of early elections is low,” said a former Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi, who wished to remain unnamed. “The Election Commission of India (ECI) can conduct state assembly elections six months before the assembly’s term expires, but it is ultimately up to the ECI to decide.”
Under Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the ECI is empowered to notify general elections six months prior to the expiration of the assembly’s tenure. Delhi’s current assembly term is set to expire on February 11, 2025.
Preparation Hurdles
Officials from the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Delhi stated that the ECI had initiated a special summary revision of the photo electoral roll in August, anticipating the February 2025 elections. This revision process is scheduled to conclude in early January 2025, with the final publication of electoral rolls planned for January 6, 2025.
“For states like Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand, the special summary revision began months earlier. Accelerating this process in Delhi poses a significant challenge for conducting early polls,” an official explained. Additional preparations include conducting first-level checks of EVMs to ensure their proper functioning and coordinating with political parties, government agencies, police, and security forces for smooth election conduct.
“Ideally, three to six months are required to make the necessary preparations for elections,” the former Chief Electoral Officer added.
Political Reactions
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva criticized Kejriwal’s call for early elections, labeling it contradictory. “If Arvind Kejriwal truly wants early elections, he should recommend the dissolution of the assembly. Instead, he’s talking about electing a new chief minister. This is merely a drama to grab headlines and mislead the public,” Sachdeva said.
Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav echoed similar sentiments, stating, “The Congress is fully prepared to contest all 70 assembly seats in Delhi at any time. However, I believe Arvind Kejriwal is not serious about conducting early elections.”
Electoral Data and Analysis
As of May 7, Delhi’s electoral roll data indicates there are 15,201,936 registered voters across 70 assembly constituencies—an increase of 885,483 electors since 2019.
Sanjay Kumar, professor and co-director of Lokniti at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), noted that while the ECI can call for early elections if less than six months remain in the assembly’s term, practical challenges exist. “Kejriwal’s decision seems aimed at generating public sympathy over the legal challenges faced by AAP leaders in the excise case. He likely believes that immediate elections might capitalize on this sympathy, which could diminish over time,” Kumar commented.
Background
In the last assembly elections held on February 8, 2020, the Aam Aadmi Party secured 62 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party won 8 seats in the 70-member assembly. Arvind Kejriwal was sworn in as Chief Minister on February 16, marking his third term since first assuming office in 2013.
