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.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Acquitted by Delhi Court in Wrestlers’ Sexual Harassment Case..
Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has acquitted former BJP MP and former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case filed by six female wrestlers. The court gave this decision on Monday i.e. 3rd August. Along with this, the court has also acquitted another accused Vinod Tomar. The hearing of this case related to allegations of sexual exploitation of female players was going on till 2023, the hearing till now lasted for about 1133 days, in which the court heard it 127 times. This sexual exploitation case started on 18 January 2023. Where about 30 wrestlers including female wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia had staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in the country’s capital Delhi against the then President of the Indian Wrestling Association, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. These wrestlers had made serious allegations of sexual harassment, stalking and criminal threats against Brij Bhushan Singh. Later, on April 21, 2023, 7 female wrestlers, including a minor, had filed a complaint of sexual exploitation against Brij Bhushan before the Delhi Police. After this the wrestler went to the Supreme Court. The case was heard in the Supreme Court on 4 May 2023. Rouse Avenue Court framed several charges against Brij Bhushan While on June 7, a meeting was held between the wrestlers and the Union Sports Minister, on June 15, Delhi Police filed a charge sheet against Brij Bhushan Singh and the then Indian Wrestling Association Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar. In May 2024, the Rouse Avenue Court framed several charges against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh like sexual harassment, outraging the dignity of a woman and criminal intimidation, but Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh refused to accept it. On May 2025, Additional Sessions Judge of Patiala House Court Gomti Manocha accepted the closure report of Delhi Police in the POCSO case. On May 25, 2026, the testimony of the last witness of the prosecution was completed, during which a total of 32 witnesses were interrogated, while 9 witnesses were removed by the prosecution. On June 8, 2026, the statements of both the accused were recorded. Final debates began on 9 June, which concluded on 2 July. After this, on 3 August 2026, the court gave its verdict and Brij Bhushan was acquitted. Giving his first reaction on the court’s decision, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said, “First of all, the court said in its decision that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar are given honor acquittal. My reaction is that on the first day when my statement came, I had said that if any decision comes, I will automatically hang myself. Today the court has given honor acquittal, which is a matter of happiness for me and my supporters.”