GUWAHATI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday, July 5, issued the notification for by-elections to three vacant Assembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Bihar, setting the electoral process in motion.
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The bypolls will be held in the Budhni Assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh, Visavadar Assembly constituency in Gujarat, and Ramgarh Assembly constituency in Bihar. With the notification issued on July 6, the filing of nominations has commenced.
The Election Commission has fixed July 13 as the last date for filing nominations, with scrutiny of nomination papers scheduled for July 14. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until July 16.
Polling, if necessary, will be held on July 30 from 7 am to 6 pm, while the counting of votes will take place on August 3 from 8 am. The entire election process is scheduled to be completed by August 4.
The Election Commission has also directed the governments of the concerned states to ensure compliance with statutory provisions relating to paid holidays and dry days in the poll-bound constituencies.
Under Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every eligible voter employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or other establishment is entitled to a paid holiday on polling day to enable them to cast their vote.
The Commission clarified that this provision also extends to casual and daily wage workers, including those employed outside their constituency but registered as voters in the poll-bound Assembly seats.
The poll panel further reminded authorities that employers who fail to grant the mandatory paid holiday could face legal action under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.
In addition, the Commission announced that a 'dry day' will be observed during the 48-hour silence period before polling and on the day of counting, August 3, in accordance with election laws to ensure free and fair polling.