Chennai: Tamilnadu Chief Electoral Officer, Satyabrata Sahoo yesterday announced that along with the Lok sabha elections, the by-elections to 18 assembly seats would be held on 18 April. The results would be announced on 23 May.
The 18 constituencies areĀ Poonamallee, Perambur, Tiruporur, Sholinghur, Gudiyatham, Ambur, Hosur, Pappireddipapatti, Harur, Nilakkottai, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Manamadurai, Andipatti, Periyakulam, Sattur, Paramakudi and Vilathikulam. However, bypolls were not scheduled for Tiruparankundram, Ottapidaram, Aravakurichi as election petition were still pending in the Madras High court.Ā
Speaking to reporters, the CEO saidĀ EVMsĀ and VVPAT are in place for both the by- and LS polls and officials have been asked to ensure model code of conduct.
Filing of nominations would begin from 19 to 26 March. Scrutiny of nomination would be on 27 March andĀ last date for withdrawal of candidatures would be 29 March.
AIADMK presently has 114 members while the DMK (88) and its allies together have 97 members in the assembly. The total number of vacant constituencies in the State is 21. Of the 18 seats, sixteen had fallen vacant following the disqualification of ruling AIADMK MLAs loyal to TTV Dhinakaran. The by-poll to Tiruvarur seat has been necessitated by the death of sitting member and late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi.Ā The Hosur seat fell vacant following the disqualification of Minister K Balakrishna Reddy in a criminal case.