Bypolls 2023: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday announced that by-elections for seven Legislative Assembly seats in six states, namely Jharkhand, Tripura, Kerala, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, are set to take place on September 5. This move follows the vacancies created in these constituencies, prompting the need for new representatives to be elected.
"The Commission has decided to hold bye-election to fill vacancies in 7(Seven) Assembly Constituencies of 6 States i.e. Jharkhand, Kerala, Tripura, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand," the EC notification read.
"The Commission has decided to use EVMS and VVPATS in the bye- elections 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 polls are conducted smoothly with the help of these machines," it added.
Several assembly seats across different states have fallen vacant due to various reasons. In Jharkhand, the Dumri assembly seat became vacant following the demise of Jagarnath Mahato. Meanwhile, in Kerala, the Puthupalli Assembly seat was left vacant due to the resignation of Oommen Chandy from the Congress party, as per the notification. Similarly, the Boxanagar seat in Tripura saw a vacancy after Samsul Haque of CPIM passed away, it said.
In West Bengal, the Dhupguri SC assembly seat became vacant following the unfortunate demise of Bishnu Pandey from the BJP. Chandan Ram Das, a BJP member, left the Bageshwar (SC) seat in Uttarakhand vacant due to his passing, the notification said.
Additionally, the Dhanpur assembly seat in Tripura fell vacant due to the resignation of BJP leader Pratima Bhimik. In Uttar Pradesh, the Ghosi Assembly seat was left vacant after the resignation of Dara Singh Chauhan from the SP, according to the notification. These vacancies have prompted the Election Commission to schedule by-elections for these seats in various states.