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 at Annexure-I.
- 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 1st April, 2025, as the qualifying date,
wherein applications were invited from eligible citizens seeking
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registration in electoral roll with respect to 1st 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 5th 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
- ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES (EVMs) & VVPATs
The Commission has decided to use EVMs and VVPATs in the byeelection 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. - 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:
i. Aadhar Card,
ii. MGNREGA Job Card,
iii. Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office,
iv. Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of
Ministry of Labour,
v. Driving License,
vi. PAN Card,
vii. Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR,
viii. Indian Passport,
ix. Pension document with photograph,
x. Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by
Central/State Govt./PSUs/Public Limited Companies, and
xi. Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs.
xii. Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card, M/o Social Justice &
Empowerment, Government of India
Page 3 of 5 - 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 02nd
January, 2024 (available on the Commission’s website). - 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 16th
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:
a. Within first 4 days of withdrawal.
b. Between next 5th – 8th days.
c. From 9th day till the last day of campaign (the second day prior to
date of poll)
(Illustration: If the last date for withdrawal is 10th of the month and poll is
on 24th of the Month, the first block for publishing of declaration shall be
done between 11th and 14th of the Month, second and third blocks shall be
between 15th and 18th and 19th and 22nd 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.
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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’. - 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.
