ECI will hold a by-election in Atmakuru, Andhra Pradesh

The Election Commission of India announced the date for the by-election to the Atmakuru assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh’s SPS Nellore district on Monday.

The polling date has been set for June 23 by the ECI.

The tragic death of sitting legislator Mekapati Goutham Reddy on February 21 this year triggered the by-election.

In Jagan Mohan Reddy’s first Cabinet, Goutham served as Minister of State for Industries and Information Technology.

The ruling YSR Congress is running Vikram Reddy, Goutham’s younger brother, in the by-election.

The Telugu Desam Party may opt out of the by-poll contest if the other party does not put forward a candidate in the event of the death of a serving legislator, as is customary.

The BJP, on the other hand, has indicated that it will run in the Atmakuru by-election, but has yet to choose a candidate.

Nominations must be submitted by June 6th, and withdrawals must be made by June 9th.

According to the ECI schedule, after the election on June 23, the counting of votes will take place on June 26.

After the 2019 general election, this is the second by-election for an assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh due to the death of serving MLAs.

Following the death of sitting MLA Venkata Subbiah, a by-election was held in Badwel (SC) constituency in Kadapa district in October last year.