New Delhi, March 15 (IANS): The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the election schedule for four states and one Union Territory (UT) on Sunday, while expounding the elaborate measures undertaken by the poll body for ensuring free, fair and transparent Assembly elections.
"Assam and Kerala will vote in a single phase on April 9. The UT of Puducherry will go to the polls on April 9. In Tamil Nadu, all 234 seats will head to polls in a single phase on April 23," CEC Gyanesh Kumar said at a press conference.
"For the 294-member West Bengal, the polling will be held in two phases. 152 seats will see elections on April 23, while the second phase will be held for the remaining 142 seats on April 29," he added.
The results of all the Assembly elections will be announced on May 4.
Bye-elections in 8 ACs
The CEC also announced by-elections for 8 constituencies, spread across Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura.
The bye-elections in Gujarat and Maharashtra will be held on April 23, while the rest will be held on April 9.
For the bypolls also, the results will be declared on the same day as the Assembly polls, i.e. May 4.
The elections in West Bengal mark a distinct change from the past, as the polling this time will be held in two phases, unlike the eight-phased election last time, stretched over a month.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar, while announcing poll dates, also made a fervent appeal to all the electorate to exercise their franchise and cast their ballots.
Making a special appeal to the first-time voters, he said: "You are about to step into one of the most important roles of life. I urge you to participate in a democratic exercise and cast your vote."
Bye-election to Nagaland’s 28 Koridang AC on April 9
Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 15
The bye-election to the 28 Koridang Assembly Constituency (AC) in Mokokchung district will be held on April 9, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 5.
The date was announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday while releasing the election schedule for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Alongside the Assembly polls, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) also announced bye-elections to eight constituencies across Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura.
The Koridang seat fell vacant following the demise of Imkong L Imchen on November 11, 2024, and was formally declared vacant with effect from November 12..
A veteran politician and former minister, the late Imchen was serving as Advisor for Information & Public Relations and Soil & Water Conservation at the time of his demise.
He was first elected to the State Assembly in 2003 as an Independent candidate from the Koridang AC and went on to win the seat for five consecutive terms. He was last elected in 2023 to the 14th NLA on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket.
In the 60-member Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) currently holds 34 seats, followed by the BJP with 11 members and the National People’s Party (NPP) with five.
There are five Independent legislators while the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Republican Party of India (Athawale) have two members each. The Janata Dal (United) is represented by one member.
