Polling for Lok Sabha bypolls in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar on March 11; Results on March 14

The election commission of India (EC) on Friday announced date of Lok Sabha bypolls in Gorakhpur and Phulpur in Uttar Pradesh on March 11. The EC has also set March 11 as the date for the Lok Sabha bypoll in Bihar's Araria constituency and assembly bypolls in Buhar's Bhabua and Jehanabad. Two assembly bypolls in Bihar's Jehanabad and Bhabua constituencies will also be held on the same day. Results to be announced on March 14.

Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh fell vacant in September after Adityanath became chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and Keshav Prasad Maurya his deputy after the assembly polls.

The last date of filing nominations for the five bypolls is February 20, 2018 and the last date of withdrawal of candidature is February 23. The results will be declared three days after polling on March 14, 2018. The Election Commission has decided to use EVMs and VVPATs in the bye-elections in all polling stations.

The EC said that moral code of conduct will come into effect in the concerned districts with immediate effect. The moral code of conduct will also be applicable to the Union government for the concerned states.

Meanwhile, BJP is confident that it will not only "retain" but also improve its "victory margin" in both the seats in UP. Gorakhpur has been a party bastion since 1991 while the party made its debut in the Phulpur parliamentary seat--once considered as the pocket borough of the Congress--only in 2014 when Maurya won the seat.

OneIndia News