Bypolls Election 2025: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially announced the by-election schedule for five vacant Assembly constituencies spread across four Indian states—Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab, and West Bengal. Voting for these crucial seats will take place on June 19, 2024, and the counting of votes will be held on June 23. The entire election process is set to be completed by June 25, as per the ECI notification released on Sunday, May 26.
Where Will the Bypolls Take Place?
The five Assembly constituencies going to the polls are:
- Gujarat: Kadi (SC reserved) and Visavadar
- Kerala: Nilambur
- Punjab: Ludhiana West
- West Bengal: Kaliganj
The announcement came via a post on ECI’s official handle on X (formerly Twitter), detailing the key dates and procedures for the by-elections.
Key Dates to Remember
- Gazette Notification Issued: May 26
- Last Date for Nominations: June 2
- Scrutiny of Nominations: June 3
- Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidature: June 5
- Polling Date: June 19
- Counting of Votes: June 23
- Completion of Election Process: June 25
Why These Seats Are Vacant
Each of the five constituencies faces a different reason for the by-election:
- Visavadar (Gujarat): Vacated following the resignation of AAP MLA Bhupatbhai Bhayani, who later joined the BJP.
- Kadi (Gujarat): The seat became vacant after the demise of sitting BJP MLA Karsanbhai Punjabhai Solanki.
- Nilambur (Kerala): Former Independent MLA P.V. Anvar resigned from the seat, prompting the bypoll.
- Ludhiana West (Punjab): Fell vacant after the death of Congress MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi.
- Kaliganj (West Bengal): Longtime TMC MLA Nasiruddin Ahmed passed away due to cardiac arrest in February 2024.
Model Code of Conduct Enforced
With the announcement of the poll schedule, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into immediate effect in all districts where these constituencies fall. The ECI has asked all political parties and candidates to strictly adhere to election rules to ensure a free and fair process.
Special Focus on Criminal Background Disclosure
Taking a strict stance on transparency, the ECI reiterated that candidates with criminal antecedents must publish details of their cases in newspapers and on TV three times during the campaign period. This includes three critical blocks of time:
- Within the first 4 days after the withdrawal of candidature
- Between the 5th and 8th day
- From the 9th day till the end of the campaign (i.e., two days before polling)
In addition, political parties must justify why such candidates were selected and disclose these reasons on their official website, social media platforms, and through traditional media within 48 hours of candidate selection.
The ECI emphasized the use of the ‘Know Your Candidate’ mobile app, where voters can access comprehensive information about their constituency’s candidates, including any criminal background.
These by-elections are not just about filling vacancies—they offer insights into shifting political alliances and public sentiment in the run-up to bigger state and national elections. With two seats in Gujarat, a high-stakes battle in West Bengal, and key constituencies in Punjab and Kerala, all eyes will be on the outcomes on June 23.
