Key Dates and Election Process
- Nomination Filing Deadline: The last date for filing nomination papers is June 21.
- Withdrawal Deadline: The last date for withdrawing nomination papers is June 26.
- Voting Day: July 10.
- Results Announcement: July 13.
Constituencies Facing By-Elections
By-elections will be held in the following assembly constituencies:
- Bihar: Rupauli, Maniktala
- Tamil Nadu: Vikravandi
- Madhya Pradesh: Amarwara
- Uttarakhand: Badrinath, Mangalore
- Punjab: Jalandhar West
- Himachal Pradesh: Dehra, Hamirpur, Nalagarh
- West Bengal: Raiganj, Ranaghat South, Bagda
Reasons for Vacancies
The assembly seats have become vacant due to the resignation or death of the current MLAs. Specifically:
- Resignations: Rupauli, Amarwara (ST), Jalandhar West (SC), Badrinath, Dehra, Nalagarh, Hamirpur, Raiganj, Ranaghat South (SC), and Bagda.
- Deaths: Vikravandi, Maniktala, and Mangalore.
Use of EVMs and VVPATs
The ECI has confirmed that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) will be used at all polling stations. The necessary number of EVMs and VVPATs have been secured to ensure a smooth voting process. These measures aim to conduct the by-elections without interruptions, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
Significance of the By-Elections
The by-elections are crucial to fill the vacant assembly seats and stabilize the political environment, which has been turbulent for some time. The successful completion of these elections is expected to bring much-needed calm to the political landscape.
By addressing these vacancies, the ECI aims to restore full representation in the affected constituencies and ensure that all legislative seats are occupied. The use of modern voting technology underscores the commitment to a fair and transparent election process.
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