Assam By-Polls Set for November 13 as Election Commission Announces Schedule for Multiple Constituencies

The Election Commission of India has officially announced the schedule for by-polls in five assembly constituencies in Assam, with voting set to take place on November 13. This decision comes as a result of several incumbent legislators transitioning to the Lok Sabha during the general elections held earlier this year.

The constituencies affected include Bongaigaon, Sidli, Behali, Samaguri, and Dholai, with the counting of votes slated for November 23. The Gazette Notification will be published on October 18, followed by the nomination process, which ends on October 25. Scrutiny of these nominations is scheduled for October 28, and candidates will have until October 30 to withdraw their nominations if they choose to do so.

The need for these by-polls arose from the election of several MLAs to the Lok Sabha. Notable transitions include BJP’s Parimal Suklabaidya, who won the Cachar Lok Sabha seat while representing Dholai, and Ranjit Dutta from Behali, who secured a position in the Tezpur parliamentary constituency. Additionally, veteran AGP leader Phani Bhushan Choudhury has held the Bongaigaon seat since 1985 but has recently won a spot in the Barpeta Lok Sabha seat. Joyanta Basumatary from the UPPL won the Kokrajhar seat after previously representing Sidli, and Congress’s Rakibul Hussain, a five-time MLA from Samaguri, achieved victory in Dhubri.

As the November 13 by-polls approach, the BJP plans to contest in three constituencies: Behali, Dholai, and Samaguri. Meanwhile, its allies, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), will field candidates in Bongaigaon and Sidli, respectively. Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed optimism regarding the BJP’s performance during a visit to Chirang on September 18.

In addition to the five constituencies in Assam, the Election Commission has announced by-polls for a total of 50 assembly and Lok Sabha seats across various states. The elections will see significant participation, with 48 assembly seats up for grabs next month. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar, and Karnataka will witness multiple by-elections.

Specifically, nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh will be part of the upcoming elections, while seven in Rajasthan and six in West Bengal are also included. Bihar will host four assembly by-elections, and Karnataka will see three. Other states participating in the by-polls include Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, and Chhattisgarh, among others.

One notable vacancy is the Wayanad parliamentary seat in Kerala, previously held by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who chose to retain the Rae Bareli constituency. His sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, is expected to make her electoral debut from Wayanad. Additionally, the Nanded Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra will undergo by-elections following the passing of Congress MP Vasantrao Chavan.

The by-poll announcements indicate a significant electoral season ahead, with parties strategizing to secure crucial seats. With the various timelines for nominations, scrutiny, and voting set, the political landscape in Assam and other states is poised for an exciting chapter.