The Election Commission of India announced on Monday that bypolls to assembly seats in Bihar, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh will be held on July 30. The vacancies arose due to the resignations or deaths of sitting members.
Seats Going to Polls
In Bihar, the bypoll will be held for the Kusheshwar Asthan seat in Darbhanga district. The seat fell vacant after the death of sitting RJD MLA Shashi Bhushan Hajari in March. In Gujarat, the bypoll is for the Morbi seat, which became vacant after the resignation of BJP MLA Brijesh Merja, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Kutch in the 2024 general elections. In Madhya Pradesh, the bypoll is for the Budhni seat, which fell vacant after BJP MLA Shivraj Singh Chouhan resigned following his election to the Lok Sabha from Vidisha.
Schedule and Key Dates
The Election Commission said the notification for the bypolls will be issued on July 6. The last date for filing nominations is July 13, and the scrutiny of nominations will be on July 14. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is July 16. Voting will take place on July 30, and the counting of votes will be held on August 2.
Political Significance
The bypolls are seen as a test of the popularity of the ruling parties in these states. In Bihar, the bypoll is crucial for the ruling Mahagathbandhan alliance, which includes the RJD, Congress, and Left parties. The Kusheshwar Asthan seat was held by the RJD, and the party will look to retain it. In Gujarat, the Morbi seat is a stronghold of the BJP, which has won it in the past. The bypoll will test the BJP's popularity in the state after the 2024 general elections. In Madhya Pradesh, the Budhni seat was held by former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and the BJP will aim to retain it.
Voter Statistics and Arrangements
The Election Commission said that adequate security arrangements will be made for the bypolls. The commission has also directed the state governments to ensure that the bypolls are conducted in a free and fair manner. The total number of voters in the three constituencies is around 5.5 lakh. The commission has also made arrangements for the use of VVPAT machines in all polling stations.
