Election Commission announces Jubilee Hills by-election schedule; polling on November 11

Hyderabad, Oct 6: A high-stakes by-election for the Jubilee Hills Assembly Constituency has been necessitated following the demise of sitting MLA Maganti Gopinath, setting the stage for a prestige battle between the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).

BRS Candidate and Strategy

BRS President K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) has announced Maganti Sunitha Gopinath, the wife of the late MLA, as the party's candidate. This move aims to leverage a sympathy wave and secure the continuity vote. The BRS campaign will highlight the decade of development works executed under its regime in Hyderabad, while accusing the Congress government of failing to deliver on its electoral promises.

Congress Strategy and Hyderabad Focus

The Congress is prioritising a candidate from the Backward Class (BC) community to consolidate its support base. The candidate selection is focused on shoring up support from BC voters, with the core committee having shortlisted former MPs Naveen Yadav and Anjan Kumar Yadav, as well as former Hyderabad mayor Bonthu Rammohan. The party is working hard to gain a foothold in Hyderabad, where it is traditionally weak, and sees the Jubilee Hills seat as a critical opportunity to expand its urban base.

Election Commission Announcement and Key Dates

The Election Commission of India has officially announced that the by-election will be held on November 11, 2025. Chief Electoral Officer C. Sudharshan Reddy stated that all arrangements are being made to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election, and the Model Code of Conduct has come into immediate effect in Hyderabad district.

The detailed schedule is as follows:

Official Notification: October 13

Last Date for Nominations: October 21

Scrutiny of Nominations: October 22

Last Date for Withdrawal: October 24

Date of Polling: November 11

Counting of Votes: November 14

Process Completion: November 16

“The Election Commission is committed to conducting the Jubilee Hills by-election with complete neutrality, transparency, and efficiency,” said CEO Reddy, urging citizens to verify their names in the electoral rolls.

Polling Logistics

The election will be conducted using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems. The CEO assured that adequate numbers of EVMs have been tested and deployed. Voters can use their Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) or other approved documents such as Aadhaar, driving licence, passport, PAN card, or pension documents for identification.

The Commission has also directed all candidates and political parties to disclose any criminal antecedents through newspapers, television, and digital platforms to ensure transparency.