The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday announced the schedule for upcoming by-elections for filling vacant seats in four states-Punjab, Gujarat, West Bengal and Kerala. Polling will be conducted on June 19 and counting is schedule to take place from June 23.

In Gujarat, by-polls, also known as by-polls will be organised in the Visavadar Assembly and Kadi constituencies. These elections will take place in view of resignation of Bhayani Bhupendrabhai Gandubhai and death of Karsanbhai Punjabhai Solanki.

In Punjab, the election will take place in Ludhiana West followed by the death of the sitting MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi earlier this year.

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In West Bengal, Kaliganj will head for polls to fill the vacant post of Nasirruddin Ahmed, who died in February because of cardiac arrest.

Meanwhile, in Kerala, the Nilambur seat is lying empty as PV Anvar, supported by the LDF, gave his resignation in January. After putting down his papers, he has taken charge of the post of convenor of the Trinamool Congress Kerala Unit.

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ECI’s voter-friendly measures

Along with the schedule, the ECI also announced new means for improving the voter experience. Attributing the increasing use of mobile phones and the challenges they pose, particularly for the elderly and PwD voters, the Commission has launched a mobile deposit facility outside polling stations.

Under the latest norms, voters will need to submit their mobile phones in a switched off mode in designated boxes or in jute boxes before entering the polling booth. No mobile polls phones will be allowed inside the polling stations. Although exemptions may apply at some booth depending on local circumstances.

ECI’s campaigning norms

To ensure streamlined poll-day management, the ERCI has also updated rules for canvassing. Campaigning will not be allowed within a 100-meter radius of the polling station on the polling day. Booths set up by the candidate for issuing an unofficial voter slip must stay outside the boundary.

The ECI, headed by the Chief Election Commissioner, Gynaesh Kumar, and Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi restated its commitment for voter friendly and transparent elections.