ECI announces bypolls for Bankipur, Datia, Manjalpur on July 30
Synopsis
The Election Commission has simultaneously called bypolls for three Assembly seats spanning three states — Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat — each vacant for a different reason: a resignation, a disqualification, and a death. Polling is set for 30 July, with results on 3 August, putting the MCC in immediate effect across all three constituencies.
Key Takeaways
The Election Commission of India announced bypolls for Bankipur (Bihar), Datia (Madhya Pradesh), and Manjalpur (Gujarat) on 2 July .
Polling is scheduled for 30 July ; vote counting on 3 August ; process concludes by 4 August .
Bankipur fell vacant due to Nitin Nabin's resignation; Datia due to Rajendra Bharti's disqualification; Manjalpur due to the death of Yogeshbhai Patel .
Gazette notification to be issued on 6 July ; last date for nominations is 13 July ; withdrawal deadline is 16 July .
EVMs and VVPATs will be used; Model Code of Conduct is in immediate effect across all three constituencies.
Candidates with criminal antecedents must disclose pending cases in media on three occasions during the campaign.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday, 2 July announced by-elections to three vacant Assembly constituencies — Bankipur in Bihar, Datia in Madhya Pradesh, and Manjalpur in Gujarat — with polling scheduled for 30 July and vote counting on 3 August. The entire election process is set to conclude by 4 August.
Why These Seats Fell Vacant
Each vacancy has a distinct origin. The Bankipur seat in Bihar fell vacant following the resignation of Nitin Nabin. In Datia, Madhya Pradesh, the seat became available after the disqualification of Rajendra Bharti. The Manjalpur constituency in Gujarat became vacant after the death of sitting legislator Yogeshbhai Patel.
Key Dates in the Election Schedule
According to the schedule issued by the Commission, the gazette notification will be issued on 6 July. Candidates may file nominations until 13 July, with scrutiny of nominations on 14 July. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is 16 July. Polling will be held on 30 July, and votes will be counted on 3 August.
Electoral Rolls and Voting Infrastructure
The ECI confirmed that electoral rolls for all three constituencies had already been finalised. The final rolls were published on 30 September 2025 for Bankipur, 21 February 2026 for Datia, and 17 February 2026 for Manjalpur. Continuous updation of rolls will continue until the last date of filing nominations, subject to the applicable qualifying date.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units will be deployed at all polling stations. The Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) remains the primary voter identification document, though Aadhaar, passports, driving licences, PAN cards, and MGNREGA job cards will also be accepted.
Model Code of Conduct and Candidate Disclosure Rules
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force immediately across the districts covering the three constituencies upon announcement of the schedule. The Commission reiterated that candidates with criminal antecedents must publish details of pending cases in newspapers and on television on three separate occasions during the campaign period.
Political parties fielding such candidates are similarly required to publicise their criminal backgrounds — including the reasons for their selection — through party websites, newspapers, and official social media platforms. This information will also be accessible on ECINET under the 'Know Your Candidates' section.
Additionally, candidates who have occupied government accommodation in the past 10 years are required to obtain 'No Dues Certificates' covering rent, electricity, water, and telephone charges before contesting.
What to Watch
With the MCC now in effect, political activity in Bankipur, Datia, and Manjalpur will come under close regulatory scrutiny. These three seats span three different states governed by different political configurations, making the results a potential indicator of local sentiment ahead of future state-level electoral cycles.
Point of View
But the circumstances behind each vacancy — a resignation, a disqualification, and a death — reflect the fragility of legislative representation at the state level. The Commission's insistence on criminal antecedent disclosure is a standing rule, yet compliance remains patchy; enforcement in these three constituencies will be worth watching. More broadly, how voters in Bankipur, Datia, and Manjalpur respond will offer a small but real data point on ruling-party strength in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, and on the Gujarat government's local standing — all ahead of larger electoral contests on the horizon.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which three seats are going to bypolls announced by the ECI?
The Election Commission of India has announced bypolls for Bankipur in Bihar, Datia in Madhya Pradesh, and Manjalpur in Gujarat. Polling is scheduled for 30 July 2026, with results on 3 August.
Why did these three Assembly seats fall vacant?
Bankipur fell vacant after Nitin Nabin resigned, Datia became vacant following the disqualification of Rajendra Bharti, and Manjalpur fell vacant after the death of sitting MLA Yogeshbhai Patel.
What is the full schedule for the three bypolls?
The gazette notification will be issued on 6 July; nominations close on 13 July; scrutiny is on 14 July; the withdrawal deadline is 16 July; polling is on 30 July; and counting takes place on 3 August, with the process concluding by 4 August.
Is the Model Code of Conduct already in effect for these bypolls?
Yes. The Model Code of Conduct came into force immediately upon the ECI's announcement on 2 July across the districts covering Bankipur, Datia, and Manjalpur.
What identity documents can voters use at these bypoll booths?
The Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) is the primary document, but voters may also use Aadhaar, passports, driving licences, PAN cards, and MGNREGA job cards, among other government-issued identity documents accepted by the ECI.
