The by-election to Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency will be held on October 6, while the counting of votes will take place on October 9, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Monday.
According to the ECI notification, the last date for filing nominations is September 16 while scrutiny of the nominations will take place on September 17.
The last date of withdrawal of candidatures is September 19. The election process is scheduled to be completed by October 11.
The apex poll body’s announcement comes amid heightened political activity, with parties gearing up for the contest.
The by-election was necessitated following the resignation of incumbent two-term MP Pradyut Bordoloi, who resigned from the Congress to join the BJP, days ahead of Assembly elections in April this year. Bordoloi subsequently went on to win the Dispur Assembly seat on a BJP ticket.
Asked about the prospects of the ruling BJP in the Lok Sabha by-poll, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, during the post-Cabinet briefing, said the BJP would focus on retaining its advantage in the four Assembly segments within the parliamentary constituency, while increasing its vote share in the remaining constituencies.
“BJP had earlier won across Nagaon, Jagiroad, Morigaon and Raha, while Congress and candidates from the Opposition alliance had won from Samaguri, Dhing, Rupahihat and Lahorighat,” Sarma said, while adding that the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat is not a traditional BJP stronghold.