Election Commission of India clarifies its decision to hold by-election in Karnataka

BENGALURU: In response to media reports on the ambiguity in Election Commission of India’s decision to conduct by-elections for three vacancies in Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka and not announcing elections to five LS seats seats in Andhra Pradesh, the ECI on Tuesday has cited sections of Representation of the People Act, 1951 as the reason behind the decision.

In a press release, ECI Under Secretary Pawan Diwan has said that Section 151A of the RP Act mandates the EC to fill the casual vacancies in the Houses of Parliament and State Legislatures through bye elections within six months from the date of occurence of the vacancy. But this is only if the remainder of the term of a member who is newly elected is one year or more.

In the case of Karnataka, vacancies to Ballari, Shivamogga parliamentary constituencies occured on May 18 and Mandya in on May 21. Whereas, vacancies to five seats in Andhra Pradesh occured on June 20, 2018.


Since the term of 16th Lok Sabha is upto June 3, 2019, the vacancies in Karnataka has occurred more than one year before the expiration of the term of the House and hence bye elections are required to be held under the RP Act.

“In the case vacancies from Andhra Pradesh, there is no need to hold bye elections as the remaining term of the Lok Sabha is less than one year from the date of occurence of vacancies that is June 20, 2018,” the press release states.