Schedule for Bye-election to Five Assembly Constituencies of Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab and West Bengal
Schedule for Bye-election to Five Assembly Constituencies of Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab and West Bengal
The Commission has decided to hold bye-election to fill vacancies in the following Assembly Constituencies of Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab and West Bengal:
Sl. No.
Name of State/UT
AC No. & Name
Reason of vacancy
Gujarat
24-Kadi (SC)
Death of Shri Karsanbhai Punjabhai Solanki
87-Visavadar
Resignation of Shri Bhayani Bhupendrabhai Gandubhai
Kerala
35-Nilambur
Resignation of Shri P. V.
Anvar
Punjab
64-Ludhiana West
Death of Shri Gurpreet Bassi Gogi
West Bengal
80-Kaliganj
Death of Shri Nasiruddin Ahamed
The Schedule for the bye election is enclosed below.
Commission firmly believes that pure and updated electoral rolls are the foundation of free, fair and credible elections. Hence, intensive and sustained focus is placed upon improving its quality, health and fidelity. After the amendment in Section 14 of the Representation of the People Act-1950 by the Election Laws (Amendment) Act-2021, there is a provision of four qualifying dates to enroll as a voter in a year. Accordingly, the Commission conducted the Special Summary Revision of Electoral Roll with reference to 1st April, 2025, as the qualifying date, wherein applications were invited from eligible citizens seeking registration in electoral roll with respect to 1st April, 2025 as the qualifying date. After time-bound completion of Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls, the final publication of electoral roll was done on 5th May, 2025.
However, the process of continuous updation of electoral rolls will continue till the last date of filing nominations, with respect to proximate qualifying date, in respect to applications received till 10 days before last date of filling nomination.
The Commission has decided to use EVMs and VVPATs in the bye-election in all the polling stations. Adequate numbers of EVMs and VVPATs have been made available and all steps have been taken to ensure that the poll is conducted smoothly with the help of these machines.
Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) shall be the main document of identification of a voter. However, any of the below mentioned identification documents can also be shown at the polling station:
The Model Code of Conduct shall come into force with immediate effect in the district(s) in which the whole or any part of the Assembly constituency going for election is included, subject to provision of the instruction vide Commission’s letter No. 437/6/1NST/ECI/FUNCT/MCC/2024/(BYE ELECTIONS) dated 02nd January, 2024 (available on the Commission’s website).
Candidates with criminal antecedents are required to publish information in this regard in newspapers and through Television channels on three occasions during the campaign period. A political party that sets up candidates with criminal antecedents is also required to publish information about criminal background of its candidates, both on its website and also in newspapers and Television channels on three occasions.
Commission vide its letter No. 3/4/2019/SDR/Vol. IV dated 16th September, 2020 has directed that the period specified will be decided with three blocks in the following manner, so that electors have sufficient time to know about the background of such candidates:
(Illustration: If the last date for withdrawal is 10th of the month and poll is on 24th of the Month, the first block for publishing of declaration shall be done between 11th and 14th of the Month, second and third blocks shall be between 15th and 18th and 19th and 22nd of that Month, respectively.)
This requirement is in pursuance of the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Writ Petition (C) No. 784 of 2015 (Lok Prahari Vs. Union of India & Others) and Writ Petition (Civil) No. 536 of 2011 (Public Interest Foundation & Ors. Vs. Union of India & Anr.).
The political parties shall also publish in newspapers and its official social media platforms and upload in its website, the details and the reasons for selecting candidates having criminal background within 48 hours of selection of such candidate. The details are contained in letter no. 3/4/2021/SDR/Vol. III dated 11.01.2022 available on the Commission’s website.
This information will also be available on an App titled, ‘know your candidates’.
The Commission has issued directions to facilitate, if approached by any intending candidate, who has been in occupation of accommodation provided by the Government any time during the last 10 years before the date of notification of the election, to obtain “No dues certificate” from agencies/authorities/departments dealing with (a) rent, (b) electricity charges, (c) water charges and (d) telephone charges. The instructions are contained in Commission’s letter no. 3/ER/2023/SDR/Vol. IV dated 03.05.2024 and is available in the Commission’s website.
******
PK/GDH/RP
SCHEDULE FOR BYE-ELECTION
Poll Events
Date and Day
Date of Issue of Gazette Notification
26th May, 2025
(Monday)
Last date for making of nominations
2nd June, 2025
(Monday)
The date for the scrutiny of nominations
3rd June, 2025
(Tuesday)
The last date for the withdrawal of candidatures
5th June, 2025
(Thursday)
Date of Poll
19th June, 2025
(Thursday)
Date of Counting of Votes
23rd June, 2025
(Monday)
Date before which election shall be completed
25th June, 2025