In a significant electoral development, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has released the schedule for by-elections to five assembly constituencies across four states — Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab, and West Bengal. These polls will be conducted on June 19, with counting scheduled for June 23. The entire electoral process will be completed by June 25, as per the ECI notification.
The constituencies going to the polls include Kadi and Visavadar (Gujarat), Nilambur (Kerala), Ludhiana West (Punjab), and Kaliganj (West Bengal).
Reason for Vacancies:
- In Kerala, the Nilambur seat became vacant after PV Anvar, an LDF-backed MLA, resigned in January. Anvar has since been appointed convenor of the Kerala unit of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), according to ANI.
- In Punjab, the Ludhiana West seat was left vacant following the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January.
- In West Bengal, the Kaliganj seat fell vacant due to the passing of TMC MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed in February.
Bypoll Timeline:
- Gazette Notification: May 26
- Last Date for Nominations: June 2
- Scrutiny of Nominations: June 3
- Withdrawal of Nominations: June 5
- Polling Day: June 19
- Counting Day: June 23
- Process Completion: June 25
Voter ID and Acceptable Documents:
The Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) will be the primary document for voter identification. However, voters may also present any of the following 12 alternative IDs:
- Aadhaar Card
- MGNREGA Job Card
- Bank/Post Office Passbooks with photograph
- Health Insurance Smart Card (Ministry of Labour)
- Driving License
- PAN Card
- Smart Card (RGI under NPR)
- Indian Passport
- Pension Document with photograph
- Service ID Cards (Govt./PSUs/Listed Companies)
- Official ID Cards for MPs/MLAs/MLCs
- Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card
Why It Matters:
These bypolls are being closely watched as a barometer of public sentiment post the Lok Sabha elections and could hint at shifting political dynamics in the respective states. Voter turnout, party performance, and margin of victory will be under sharp scrutiny, especially with opposition and ruling parties locked in a heated post-election narrative battle.
