Notification for Vikravandi bypoll likely on May 7

CHENNAI: The notification for the Vikravandi by-election is likely to be announced by May 7 along with the last phase (7th phase) of Lok Sabha elections notification, sources said.

According to the sources, the Election Commission (EC) is all set to conduct the by-poll for Vikravandi Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu, following the demise of DMK MLA N Pugazhenthi on April 6.

“Considering the by-poll expenditure, security measures, the Election Commission has decided to reduce the expenditure by conducting the by-poll on June 1 along with the seventh phase of Lok Sabha polls. Concerned District Election Officer and the Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer were ready to conduct the by-poll anytime. When the notification for the seventh phase LS polls will be out, the notification for Vikravandi Assembly constituency would also come,” said TN election officials.

As the Model Code of Conduct is still in force in Tamil Nadu, we can easily conduct the Vikravandi by-poll anytime soon. The Commission is of the opinion that if the by-polls are held for the Vikravandi Assembly constituency, as well, the overall expenditure can be reduced,” the EC sources said.

DMK MLA from Vikravandi Assembly constituency in Villupuram district N Pugazhenthi died following a brief illness on April 6.

Hailing from Athiyur Thiruvadi near Sankarapuram, Pugazhenthi started his political career in 1973 and served in various positions in the DMK’s Villupuram district unit. He unsuccessfully contested the 2019 by-election to the Vikravandi Assembly constituency and lost to AIADMK’s Mutamizhselvan by a margin of 44,924 votes. In the 2021 Assembly elections however, Pugazhenthi wrested the seat from the AIADMK.