The Commission has decided to hold bye-election to fill vacancies in the following Assembly Constituencies of Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab and West Bengal:

The Schedule for the bye election is enclosed below.

1.             ELECTORAL ROLLS

Commission firmly believes that pure and updated electoral rolls are the foundation of free, fair and credible elections. Hence, intensive and sustained focus is placed upon improving its quality, health and fidelity. After the amendment in Section 14 of the Representation of the People Act-1950 by the Election Laws (Amendment) Act-2021, there is a provision of four qualifying dates to enroll as a voter in a year. Accordingly, the Commission conducted the Special Summary Revision of Electoral Roll with reference to 1^st April, 2025, as the qualifying date, wherein applications were invited from eligible citizens seeking registration in electoral roll with respect to 1^st April, 2025 as the qualifying date. After time-bound completion of Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls, the final publication of electoral roll was done on 5^th May, 2025.

However, the process of continuous updation of electoral rolls will continue till the last date of filing nominations, with respect to proximate qualifying date, in respect to applications received till 10 days before last date of filling nomination.

2.  ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES (EVMs) & VVPATs

The Commission has decided to use EVMs and VVPATs in the bye-election in all the polling stations. Adequate numbers of EVMs and VVPATs have been made available and all steps have been taken to ensure that the poll is conducted smoothly with the help of these machines.

3. IDENTIFICATION OF VOTERS

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. MGNREGA 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. MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT

          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 provision of the instruction vide Commission’s letter No. 437/6/1NST/ECI/FUNCT/MCC/2024/(BYE ELECTIONS) dated 02^nd January, 2024 (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^th days.
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.).

          The political parties shall also publish in newspapers and its official social media platforms and upload in its website, the details and the reasons for selecting candidates having criminal background within 48 hours of selection of such candidate. The details are contained in letter no. 3/4/2021/SDR/Vol. III dated 11.01.2022 available on the Commission’s website.

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

6.   NO DUES CERTIFICATE

            The Commission has issued directions to facilitate, if approached by any intending candidate, who has been in occupation of accommodation provided by the Government any time during the last 10 years before the date of notification of the election, to obtain “No dues certificate” from agencies/authorities/departments dealing with (a) rent, (b) electricity charges, (c) water charges and (d) telephone charges. The instructions are contained in Commission’s letter no. 3/ER/2023/SDR/Vol. IV dated 03.05.2024 and is available in the Commission’s website.

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PK/GDH/RP

SCHEDULE FOR BYE-ELECTION

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