EC Unveils Assembly Bypoll Schedule For Three States, Voting Set For July 30
The Election Commission on Thursday announced the schedule for Assembly by-elections in three states, setting the stage for fresh electoral contests in Bihar, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Polling for all three constituencies will take place on July 30, while the counting of votes and declaration of results are scheduled for August 3.
The by-elections will be conducted in the Bankipur Assembly constituency in Bihar, Datia in Madhya Pradesh and Manjalpur in Gujarat. With the announcement of the election programme, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force in all three constituencies.
Why The Seats Fell Vacant
The Bankipur Assembly seat in Bihar became vacant after BJP leader Nitin Nabin stepped down following his appointment as the party’s Bihar state president. He later entered the Rajya Sabha, necessitating a by-election for the constituency.
In Madhya Pradesh, the Datia seat fell vacant after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified following his conviction in a cheating case.
Meanwhile, voters in Gujarat’s Manjalpur constituency will elect a new representative after the demise of BJP MLA Yogesh Patel.
Polling Process
The Election Commission said the bypolls will be conducted using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) along with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems to ensure transparency in the voting process.
With political parties expected to intensify campaigning in the coming weeks, the by-elections are likely to be closely watched, as they will serve as an important political test for both the ruling parties and the opposition in the three states.
The Election Commission has directed all stakeholders to strictly follow the Model Code of Conduct during the campaign period until the completion of the electoral process.
