The Election Commission of India has announced that assembly bypolls will be conducted on June 19, 2025, in five constituencies across four states—Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab, and West Bengal. The counting of votes will take place on June 23, with the entire election process expected to conclude by June 25.
The by-elections have been necessitated due to vacancies arising from the death or resignation of sitting MLAs. The constituencies going to polls include Kadi and Visavadar in Gujarat, Nilambur in Kerala, Ludhiana West in Punjab, and Kaliganj in West Bengal.
In Gujarat, the Kadi seat fell vacant after the demise of BJP MLA Karsanbhai Punjabhai Solanki, while Visavadar became vacant following the resignation of AAP MLA Bhayani Bhupendrabhai Gandubhai, who later joined the BJP. Kerala’s Nilambur seat became vacant after Independent MLA P.V. Anvar resigned to join the Trinamool Congress. Punjab’s Ludhiana West seat was vacated following the death of Congress MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi. In West Bengal, the Kaliganj seat fell vacant due to the death of TMC MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed.
The Election Commission has set the last date for filing nominations as June 2, with scrutiny scheduled for June 3. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until June 5. Polling will be conducted on June 19 across all five constituencies using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) equipped with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) to ensure transparency.
Voters will be required to present valid identification documents such as Electoral Photo Identity Cards, Aadhaar cards, or driving licenses at polling stations.
This bypoll exercise is crucial as political parties gear up for the upcoming assembly elections, making these contests important indicators of public sentiment in the respective states.
