**Election Commission of India Announces By-Elections and Bihar Assembly Poll Dates**
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced by-elections for eight assembly constituencies across seven states and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The by-elections will be held on November 11, with the counting of votes scheduled for November 14.
### By-Elections Details
These by-elections have been called to fill vacancies arising due to resignations, deaths, or disqualifications. The constituencies going to polls include:
– **Jammu and Kashmir:** Budgam and Nagrota
– **Rajasthan:** Anta
– **Jharkhand:** Ghatshila
– **Telangana:** Jubilee Hills
– **Punjab:** Tarn Taran
– **Mizoram:** Dampa
– **Odisha:** Nuapada
The Election Commission confirmed that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems will be used at all polling stations to ensure a smooth and transparent polling process. Adequate EVMs and VVPATs have been arranged for these elections. Voters will need to present their Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) as the primary identification document at polling booths.
An official statement from the poll body further stated that the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect immediately in all districts where the elections are being held.
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### Bihar Assembly Elections 2025: Over 7.4 Crore Voters to Decide Fate of NDA and INDIA Bloc
The Election Commission has also announced the poll dates for the Bihar Assembly Election 2025. The elections will be conducted in two phases on November 6 and 11, with vote counting scheduled for November 14.
More than 7.4 crore electors are eligible to vote for the 243-member Bihar Assembly, which is going to polls on a shorter schedule compared to previous elections.
Currently, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holds the largest number of seats with 80 legislators, followed by its ally Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] with 45 MLAs. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), backed by four MLAs from Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) led by Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, has a combined tally of 129 members—comfortably above the 122 seats required for a majority.
On the opposition side, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left parties collectively have 112 legislators, falling short by 10 seats.
A brief look at previous election results shows that in 2020, the BJP won 74 seats, increasing its number later through defections and bypoll victories. In 2015, the BJP secured 53 seats, while JD(U) won 71 seats. In 2010, JD(U) emerged as the largest party with 115 seats in the 243-member assembly.
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*Sources: ANI and PTI*
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/election-commission-by-elections-for-8-assembly-constituencies-across-7-states-and-uts-on-november-11-counting-3-days-later-23597491