- Nomination process opens for Manjalpur, Datia and Bankipur Assembly constituencies as Election Commission sets the democratic machinery in motion
- Polling scheduled for July 30; counting on August 3, with election process to conclude by August 4
- Commission mandates paid holiday for every eligible voter, including daily wage and casual workers, to ensure maximum electoral participation
- Dry days notified before polling and on counting day as ECI reinforces free, fair and transparent electoral conduct
NE POLITICAL BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JULY 6
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday formally set the stage for Assembly by-elections in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, issuing notifications for three vacant constituencies and commencing the nomination process for what will be closely watched electoral contests.
The by-elections will be held in 22-Datia (Madhya Pradesh), 145-Manjalpur (Gujarat) and 182-Bankipur (Bihar).
With the issuance of the notifications on July 6, candidates can now file their nomination papers, marking the beginning of the electoral process in the three Assembly constituencies.
Election Schedule
| Election Activity | Date |
| Last date for filing nominations | July 13, 2026 (Monday) |
| Scrutiny of nominations | July 14, 2026 (Tuesday) |
| Last date for withdrawal of candidature | July 16, 2026 (Thursday) |
| Polling (if required) | July 30, 2026 (Thursday), 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Counting of votes | August 3, 2026 (Monday), 8:00 a.m. onwards |
| Completion of election process | August 4, 2026 (Tuesday) |
Alongside the poll schedule, the Commission directed the concerned state governments to ensure strict compliance with statutory provisions relating to paid holidays and dry days, reaffirming its commitment to facilitating voter participation and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
Invoking Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Commission reminded employers that every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or other establishment and entitled to vote in the by-election must be granted a paid holiday on polling day.
Importantly, the Commission clarified that the benefit extends to daily wage earners and casual workers, ensuring that no eligible voter is deprived of the opportunity to exercise the franchise because of employment obligations.
The ECI further stated that electors working outside their Assembly constituency but registered as voters in the poll-bound constituency would also be entitled to a paid holiday on polling day to enable them to cast their vote.
The Commission cautioned that employers violating these statutory provisions would be liable to penalties under the law.
To ensure orderly polling, the ECI also reiterated the provisions of Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, under which the sale, distribution or serving of spirituous, fermented or intoxicating liquor is prohibited within the polling area during the 48 hours preceding the close of polling.
Accordingly, the concerned state governments will notify ‘Dry Days’ under applicable state laws during the prescribed period.
In addition, August 3, 2026, the day of counting of votes, will also be observed as a Dry Day in the poll-bound constituencies.
The by-elections are expected to attract keen political attention, particularly in Manjalpur in Gujarat, Datia in Madhya Pradesh and Bankipur in Bihar, where the outcome could offer significant political signals ahead of future electoral contests.
