The Commission has decided to hold thebye-election to fill vacanciesin the following Parliamentary Constituency and Assembly Constituenciesof West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Maharashtra: -

The schedule of bye elections is as follows:

1. ELECTORALROLLS

The published Electoral Rolls for the aforesaid Assembly Constituency w.r.t 01.01.2022 will be used for these elections.

2.  ELECTRONICVOTINGMACHINES(EVMs) & VVPATs

The Commission has decided to use EVMs and VVPATs in the bye-elections in allthepollingstations.Adequate numbers of EVMs and VVPATs have been made available and all steps have been taken toensure that the polls are conducted smoothly with the help of these machines.

3. IDENTIFICATIONOFVOTERS

Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) shall be the main document of identification of a voter. However,any of the below mentioned identification documents can also be shown at the polling station:

1. Aadhar Card,
2. MNREGA Job Card,
3. Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office,
4. Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour,
5. Driving License,
6. PAN Card,
7. Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR,
8. Indian Passport,
9. Pension document with photograph,
10. Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Govt./PSUs/Public Limited Companies, and
11. Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs.
12. Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card, M/o Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India

4. MODELCODEOFCONDUCT

            The Model Code of Conduct shall come into force with immediate effect in the district(s) in which the whole or any part of the Assembly constituency going for election is included, subject to partial modification as issued vide Commission’ s instruction No. 437/6/1NST/2016-CCS, dated 29^th June, 2017 (available on the commission's website).

5. INFORMATION REGARDING CRIMINAL ANTECEDENTS

            Candidates with criminal antecedents are required to publish information in this regard in newspapers and through Television channels on three occasions during the campaign period. A political party that sets up candidates with criminal antecedents is also required to publish information about criminal background of its candidates, both on its website and also in newspapers and Television channels on three occasions.

 Commission vide its letter No. 3/4/2019/SDR/Vol.IV dated 16^th September, 2020 has directed that the period specified will be decided with three blocks in the following manner, so that electors have sufficient time to know about the background of such candidates:

1. Within first 4 days of withdrawal.
2.   Between next 5^th 8^thdays.
3.   From 9^th day till the last day of campaign (the second day prior to date of poll)

 (Illustration: If the last date for withdrawal is 10^th of the month and poll is on 24^th of the Month, the first block for publishing of declaration shall be done between 11^th and 14^th of the Month, second and third blocks shall be between 15^th and 18^th and 19^th and 22^nd of that Month, respectively.)

            This requirement is in pursuance of the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Writ Petition(C) No. 784 of 2015 (Lok Prahari Vs. Union of India & Others) and Writ Petition(Civil) No. 536 of 2011 (Public Interest Foundation &Ors. Vs. Union of India &Anr.).

            This information will also be available on an App titled, ‘know your candidates’.

6. REVISED BROAD GUIDELINES, 2022 TO BE FOLLOWED DURING THE CONDUCT OF BYE-ELECTION DURING THE PERIOD OF COVID-19

1. The Commission has issued revised broad guidelines on 8^th January, 2022 available on Commission’s website https://eci.gov.in/files/file/13932-revised-broad-guidelines-for-conduct-of-general-electionsbye-elections-during-covid-19/. Also, the Commission time to time has reviewed the situation of COVID-19 with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India and State Governments and has issued directionsin the matter, which is available at Commission’s websitehttps://eci.gov.in/.
2. All stake holders shall abide by these instructions. State Government concerned shall take all appropriate actions/measures in compliance to these instructions as follows.
3. All such activities will be strictly complied as per the COVID-19 guidelines issued by competent authorities. Social distancing and use of mask, sanitizers, thermal scanning, face shield, hand gloves, etc., as per COVID-19 protocol, have to be complied with. SDMA is responsible for all preventive and mitigation measures to ensure adherence to COVID protocol. Chief Secretary and DG and district level authorities will be responsible for monitoring, supervision and compliance of COVID-19 guidelines.
4. If a candidate or political party violates any of the above guidelines, no more permission shall be given to the concerned candidate/party for rallies, meetings etc. If any star campaigner violates the COVID protocols, he shall not be allowed to campaign further in that constituency/district.
5. In the light of advisory issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India, Commission will keep a close watch on the evolving situation and may further tighten the guidelines for the upcoming elections.
6. All Commission’s extantinstructions/guidelines relating to conduct of recently held General Elections in Five States shall be applicable for thesebye-electionsalso.

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RP