ECI declares by polls ends Bengal suspense

ECI declares by polls ends Bengal suspense

Subject: Polity

What is a by poll?

Elections which are conducted only in a particular constituency or few particular constituencies because of

1) Sudden death of the MLA/MP.

2) Resignation to his post

3) Disqualified for any serious reason

4) If persons wins from two constituency in one election

5) If MLA MP is defected under Anti defection law

In any of the above scenarios, the election commission of India identifies the seat as vacant and notifies for the election. This election is called the bye-election.

Why by polls in this case?

• Elections were countermanded in the Shamshergunj and Jangipur Assembly constituencies where candidates succumbed to Covid (elections to the West Bengal Assembly were held on to 292 of the 294 seats). And in Khardaha, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate, Kajal Sinha, died of Covid

Why by poll in West Bengal is important? 

The bypolls are crucial to Ms Banerjee continuing as the Chief Minister. She has lost Nandigram Assembly polls to BJP Suvendu Adhikari with a narrow margin of 1956 votes. Ms Banerjee has to get elected to the State Assembly by the first week of November, within six months of being elected as the Chief Minister.