TMC and Its Election Symbol Put on Hold: Mamata Banerjee Faces a Major Hurdle..
The Election Commission of India has put on hold the two-name All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and its poll icon, “Flowers and Grass,” till the legal battle over the rival factions’ claim on the party’s name and poll symbol is fought out. In its interim order, the poll panel said it could not accept the claim of either Mamata Banerjee or the other faction over the name and symbol of the party for the forthcoming West Bengal Assembly by-elections. The Election Commission order comes ahead of the by-elections scheduled on October 6 in Nandigram and Rejinagar where candidates of both the rival factions are in the fray. The Election Commission has directed the Mamata Banerjee and Rejinagar camp to give three different names for the party and come up with three alternate election symbols from the free-symbol list for the by-elections. In the meantime, the two factions are barred from contesting the poll under the current party name and symbol. The poll panel has asked both the groups to come out with at least three names and symbols for the to decide upon one for the by-polls. The Election Commission has said the order will be deemed to be in force till the final award is given to either of the two camps. The Commission has said in its order that the issue of the dispute is “requiring an elaborate determination” under Para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
ECI Announces By-Polls for 5 Assembly Seats and 1 Lok Sabha Seat; Voting on October 6…
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially announced the dates for by-elections to five assembly seats and one Lok Sabha seat in four states and union territories. The Election Commission (ECI) has announced the election schedule for vacant assembly seats in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and West Bengal, and one parliamentary seat in Assam. Voting will take place in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram assembly seats in Tamil Nadu, Thattanchavady in Puducherry, and Rejinagar and Nandigram assembly seats in West Bengal. Voting will also take place in the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat in Assam. According to a notification issued by the Election Commission, voting for all these seats will take place on October 6, 2026, with counting of votes taking place on October 9, 2026. These by-elections are being held following the resignation of MLAs and MPs. According to the official schedule released by the Commission, the formal gazette notification for the elections issued on September 9, 2026. The deadline for filing nomination papers is September 16, after which scrutiny of nominations will take place on September 17. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until September 19. Election schedule is as follows: Prior to the elections, the Election Commission also notified the schedule for the final publication of voter rolls in the respective constituencies. It should be noted that the final voter list for the Nagaon parliamentary seat in Assam was released on February 10, while for the Thattanchavady assembly seat in Puducherry, it was released on February 14. In Tamil Nadu, the final voter list for the Madurantakam (SC) and Dharapuram (SC) assembly seats was released on February 23. CM Suvendu Adhikari resigned from Nandigram in West Bengal. MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned from the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat in Assam, necessitating a by-election. Representatives from five other assembly seats have also resigned. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari resigned from Nandigram in West Bengal.Humayun Kabir resigned from the Rejinagar seat in Murshidabad district. MLA Maragatham Kumaravel resigned from the Madurantakam seat in Tamil Nadu, and P. Satyabhama from Dharapuram. MLA N. Rangasamy resigned from the Thattanchavady seat in Puducherry. The Election Commission has directed the Chief Electoral Officers of the respective states to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections. Adequate availability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and VVPATs (VVPATs) has been ensured. Orders have also been issued to ensure strict security arrangements in sensitive areas.