EC Announces Byelections for Three Assembly Seats on July 30
The Election Commission of India announced on Thursday, July 2, 2026, that byelections will be held on July 30 for three Assembly constituencies in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. The constituencies are Bankipur in Bihar, Datia in Madhya Pradesh, and Manjalpur in Gujarat.
These vacancies arose due to different reasons. In Bankipur, the seat fell vacant following the resignation of BJP president Nitin Nabin as an MLA. In Datia, the Congress legislator Rajendra Bharti was disqualified after his conviction in a fraud case. In Manjalpur, the BJP MLA Yogeshbhai Narandas Patel passed away.
The Election Commission has released the full schedule. The gazette notification will be issued on July 6. The last date for filing nominations is July 13, with scrutiny on July 14. Candidates can withdraw their nominations by July 16. Counting of votes will take place on August 3.
With the announcement, the Model Code of Conduct has come into immediate effect in the districts where the constituencies are located. This code ensures a level playing field for all political parties and candidates during the election period.
The Commission stated that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines will be used at all polling stations to ensure transparency. Additionally, candidates with criminal antecedents, and the parties nominating them, must publish these details in newspapers, on television, and on their official websites, following directives from the Supreme Court.
These byelections are seen as a test of political strength in the respective states, particularly in Bihar where the ruling Mahagathbandhan faces challenges, and in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat where the BJP holds a strong presence.
