Indian by-elections for multiple constituencies

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has finalized the schedule for bypolls across six constituencies in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. Voting is scheduled for October 6, with the counting of votes and declaration of results set for October 9.

The formal election process begins with the issuance of the gazette notification on September 9. The deadline for filing nominations is September 16, followed by the scrutiny of papers on September 17 and the final date for candidate withdrawal on September 19. The ECI confirmed that electronic voting machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems will be utilized at all polling stations.

In Assam, the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat will hold an election following the resignation of former MP Pradyut Bordoloi. In West Bengal, vacancies in Nandigram and Rejinagar were created by candidates retaining alternative constituencies. In Puducherry, the Thattanchavady seat will also see a fresh vote.

In Tamil Nadu, elections will be held for the Madurantakam and Dharapuram assembly constituencies. These vacancies arose after former AIADMK MLAs Maragatham Kumaravel and Satyabhama resigned to join the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government. The upcoming elections are viewed as a significant political test for the TVK-led state government. Notably, the election in Dharapuram, a reserved constituency, marks the first by-election for that seat since 1967.