ECI Announces Bye-Elections in 5 States

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 8th Sept: The Election Commission of India has announced bye-elections to five Assembly constituencies and one Parliamentary constituency across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, West Bengal and Assam.

The vacancies have arisen following the resignation of the respective elected representatives.

In Tamil Nadu, bye-elections will be held in 35-Madurantakam (SC), following the resignation of Maragatham Kumaravel, and 101-Dharapuram (SC), following the resignation of P. Sathyabama.

In Puducherry, the 09-Thattanchavady Assembly constituency has fallen vacant following the resignation of N. Rangasamy.

In West Bengal, bye-elections will be conducted in 70-Rejinagar, following the resignation of Humayun Kabir, and 210-Nandigram, following the resignation of Suvendu Adhikari.

In Assam, the 09-Nagaon Parliamentary constituency will go to a bye-election following the resignation of Pradyut Bordoloi.

The Commission said the bye-election schedule has been issued separately and stressed that updated electoral rolls are essential for free, fair and credible elections.

The final publication of electoral rolls for Madurantakam and Dharapuram in Tamil Nadu was completed on February 23, 2026. For Thattanchavady in Puducherry, the final roll was published on February 14, while the final rolls for Rejinagar and Nandigram in West Bengal were published on February 28. Assam’s Nagaon Parliamentary constituency had its final electoral roll published on February 10.

The Commission said continuous updating of electoral rolls will continue until the last date of filing nominations, subject to the prescribed provisions.

EVMs and VVPATs will be used at all polling stations during the bye-elections. The Commission said adequate numbers of machines have been made available and arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of polling.

EPIC will remain the main identification document for voters. However, voters may also use Aadhaar, MGNREGA job cards, bank or post office passbooks with photographs, driving licences, PAN cards, passports, pension documents, government service identity cards and other documents specified by the Commission.

The Model Code of Conduct will come into force with immediate effect in districts where the constituencies going to polls are located.

The Commission has also reiterated rules concerning candidates with criminal antecedents. Such candidates must publish information about their criminal background in newspapers and through television channels on three occasions during the campaign period. Political parties fielding such candidates must also publish the information and explain the reasons for selecting them.

The details will also be available on ECINET under the ‘Know Your Candidates’ facility.

The Commission has further directed that intending candidates who have occupied government accommodation during the previous 10 years may obtain a no-dues certificate covering rent, electricity, water and telephone charges from the concerned authorities.