New Delhi:The Election Commission on Friday decided to hold by-elections in 56 Assembly seats and one Parliamentary seat, during the Corona era.
The decision was taken in the Commission's review meeting on Friday.In a tweet, EC Spokesperson Sheyphali Sharan said, ''Decision to hold by-elections in Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies was taken by the Commission after a review today. The schedule etc shall be announced at an appropriate time.''
The Poll panel on Thursday had clarified that by-elections to eight constituencies, including seven Assembly and one Parliamentary constituency, have been deferred, only up to September 7.
The constituencies include two each in Tamil Nadu (10-Thiruvottiyur, AC and 46, Gudiyattam (SC) AC) and Uttar Pradesh (65, Bulandshahr AC and 95, Tundla AC), besides one each in Bihar (Valmiki Nagar PC), Assam (108, Sibsagar AC), and Kerala (117, Chavara AC).
''This is with reference to the letter dated July 22 issued by Sumit Mukherjee, Senior Pr Secretary in the Commission. This is causing some confusion in some sections of the media.
''It is hereby clarified that the aforesaid communication is only in respect of eight constituencies, regarding which, a reference to the Ministry of Law & Justice was made vide letter dated July 3 due to some extraordinary circumstances, peculiar to these constituencies,'' the poll panel had said on Thursday.
''However, the total number of by-elections due is 56 Assembly Constituencies (including the eight referred to earlier), besides one Parliamentary Constituency,'' the Commission said.
''Out of these total number of 57 by-elections, it is hereby clarified that the Commission has already taken a decision to hold all bypolls as per provisions of Section 151A of the RP Act, 1951,'' it added.
''In any case, the deferring of aforementioned eight by-elections is only up to September 7. This matter of timing etc is also slotted for discussion in the Election Commission meeting to be held tomorrow,'' the poll panel had said.(UNI)