The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for by-elections to eight assembly seats across the country, including Bihar, where the Assembly elections will be held simultaneously. The bypolls will take place in seven states and one union territory — Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Telangana, Punjab, Mizoram, and Odisha.
Voting and Counting Dates
According to the ECI, voting will be held on November 11, 2025 (Tuesday), and counting of votes will take place on November 14, 2025 (Friday). The official notification for these by-elections will be issued on October 13, 2025.
For Jammu and Kashmir and Odisha, the last date for filing nominations is October 20, while for the other states, it is October 21. The scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted on October 22 (and October 23 in Rajasthan), and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 24 (October 27 in Rajasthan).
Why Are By-elections Being Held?
The by-elections are being conducted due to various resignations, disqualifications, and deaths of sitting MLAs.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Budgam seat fell vacant after the resignation of Omar Abdullah, and the Nagrota seat became vacant following the death of Devendra Singh Rana.
In Rajasthan, the Anta seat was vacated due to the disqualification of MLA Kanwarlal.
In Jharkhand, the Ghatsila seat fell vacant after Ramdas Soren’s disqualification.
In Telangana, the Jubilee Hills seat became vacant following the death of Maganti Gopinath.
In Punjab, Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal’s demise left the Tarn Taran seat vacant.
In Mizoram, the Dampa seat fell vacant after the death of MLA Lalrintluanga Saila.
In Odisha, the Nuapada seat became vacant following the death of Rajendra Dholakia.
Bihar to Vote in Two Phases
Alongside these by-elections, Bihar Assembly elections 2025 will be held in two phases.
Phase 1: November 6 (121 seats)
Phase 2: November 11 (122 seats)
The results will be declared on November 14.
A total of 7.43 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes in Bihar, including 1.4 million new voters who will exercise their franchise for the first time.
ECI’s Nationwide Poll Preparedness
The Election Commission stated that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections. Security forces will be deployed across sensitive areas, and strict monitoring of the Model Code of Conduct will be carried out throughout the poll duration.
