The Election Commission of India has officially announced by-elections for three Assembly constituencies in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. The voting is scheduled for July 30, with the counting of votes set for August 3. Nomination filing will continue until July 13, and the entire election process is expected to conclude by August 4.
Two of the constituencies, Bankipur in Bihar and Manjalpur in Gujarat, were previously held by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while the Datia Assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh was represented by the Congress. The vacancies in these seats arose due to resignations, deaths, and disqualifications of the previous MLAs.
The Election Commission has confirmed the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units at all polling stations. Voter identification will primarily rely on the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), with other government-issued identity documents like Aadhaar, passports, and driving licenses also accepted for voting.
The Model Code of Conduct has been enforced in the respective districts covering the three Assembly constituencies following the election schedule announcement. Candidates with criminal records are required to disclose details of pending cases through newspapers, television, and online platforms. Political parties fielding such candidates must also publicize their criminal backgrounds and reasons for selection.
