Bye-polls to five Assembly seats see ECI firsts: mobile deposit, 100% webcasting
On 19 June 2025, the Election Commission of India held bye-polls to five Assembly constituencies in Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab and West Bengal, introducing a mobile deposit facility and webcasting at every polling station.
Summary
The Election Commission of India (ECI) held bye-polls to five Assembly constituencies on 19 June 2025: Kadi (SC) and Visavadar in Gujarat, Nilambur in Kerala, Ludhiana West in Punjab and Kaliganj in West Bengal. Polling took place at 1,354 polling stations. For the first time, voters could leave their mobile phones at a deposit facility at the entrance of every polling station, and webcasting covered 100% of polling stations. Presiding Officers updated voter turnout data before leaving the polling station, and a Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls was held before the bye-polls for the first time in nearly two decades. The ECI said these measures pave the way for their full use in the Bihar Assembly elections.
Key facts
- Constituencies
- Kadi (SC), Visavadar (Gujarat); Nilambur (Kerala); Ludhiana West (Punjab); Kaliganj (West Bengal)
- Polling stations
- 1,354
- Firsts
- Mobile deposit facility at all PS; 100% webcasting; upgraded VTR sharing
- Electoral rolls
- Special Summary Revision before bye-polls, first in nearly two decades
- ECI (static)
- Constitutional body under Article 324; established 25 January 1950 (eci.gov.in)
Practice MCQs 5 questions
The Nilambur Assembly constituency, where a bye-poll was held on 19 June 2025, is in which state?
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Correct answer: A — Kerala
PIB (ECI): Bye-polls were held at 24-Kadi (SC) and 87-Visavadar in Gujarat, 35-Nilambur in Kerala, 64-Ludhiana West in Punjab and 80-Kaliganj in West Bengal.
Which facility did voters get for the first time at the entrance of all polling stations in the bye-polls of 19 June 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Mobile deposit facility
PIB (ECI): For the first time, voters were able to avail the mobile deposit facility provided by the ECI at the entrance of all polling stations.
What share of polling stations was covered by webcasting in the bye-polls held on 19 June 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 100 per cent
PIB (ECI): Webcasting at 100 per cent of polling stations ensured constant vigil of the entire polling process.
Consider the following statements about the bye-polls of 19 June 2025: 1. Bye-polls were held in five Assembly constituencies spread over four states. 2. A Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls was conducted before the bye-polls for the first time in nearly two decades. 3. Polling was held at 1,354 polling stations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (ECI): Five ACs in Gujarat (two), Kerala, Punjab and West Bengal went to the polls at 1,354 polling stations, and an SSR was held before bye-polls for the first time in nearly two decades. All are correct, so the answer is 1, 2 and 3.
The Election Commission of India, which conducted the bye-polls of June 2025, was established on which date?
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Correct answer: A — 25 January 1950
ECI (eci.gov.in): The Election Commission was established in accordance with the Constitution on 25 January 1950; it is a permanent Constitutional Body.