Even as the result of the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha by-election in Punjab was declared on Sunday, byelections to seven Lok Sabha seats in various States are expected to be conducted soon.
Some of these seats fell vacant following the death of sitting members, including Peoples Democratic Party chief Mufti Mohammad Sayeed (Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir); BJP leaders Sanwar Lal Jat (Ajmer) and Mahant Chand Nath (Alwar); Trinamool Congress leader Sultan Ahmed (Uluberia, West Bengal); and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Mohammad (Araria constituency in Bihar).
U.P. seats
In Uttar Pradesh, byelections are also to be held to the Gorakhpur seat, held by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and the Phulpur seat, won by Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.
The Election Commission had on May 25 cancelled the byelection in the Anantnag constituency, after deferring it for over a month, for security reasons.
The State government and the political parties had requested the electoral body to delay the polls in view of the increased terror activities and angry protests.
About a month ago, the Election Commission had asked for a report from the Jammu and Kashmir administration to determine if the Anantnag byelection can be held before November 15.
Review on
“The situation on the ground is being reviewed constantly. As and when the Commission receives reports of a favourable condition, ensuring free and fair elections, the process for conducting the by-poll in Anantnag will be initiated,” said an official.
It will be busy days ahead for the Election Commission as it has announced that the Himachal Pradesh Assembly election will be held on November 9 and the election results will be declared on December 18.
The elections to the Gujarat Assembly too will be held in December, though the dates have not been announced yet.
