Schedule announced for Jubilee Hills by-election

The Election Commission of India has officially announced the schedule for the by-election in the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency of Hyderabad, Telangana. Citizens and political parties are urged to note the key dates and guidelines to ensure a transparent and smooth election process.

Key dates for the by-election:

• Last date for filing nominations - October 21

• Scrutiny of nominations - October 22

• Withdrawal of nominations - October 24

• Polling - November 11

• Vote counting - November 14

• Conclusion of election process - November 16

The Returning Officer, P. Sai Ram, clarified that nominations will not be accepted on October 19 and 20 due to Sunday and the Diwali festival.

Nomination process: Candidates must submit Form 2B along with a notarized affidavit (Form 26) at the Shakarpet Tahsildar office. General candidates are required to pay a security deposit of ₹10,000, while SC/ST candidates need to pay ₹5,000 with valid caste certificates. A recent color photograph (2x2.5 cm) is mandatory, and candidates must be at least 25 years old. Forms must be completed and submitted by 3:00 PM on the last day of nominations.

Proposer rules: The number of proposers required depends on party recognition. Candidates from national parties such as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M), Indian National Congress (INC), Nationalist Peoples Party (NPP), and Telangana parties like All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) need one proposer from the electoral roll as of September 30. Other candidates require ten proposers. Candidates contesting from outside the constituency must submit electoral applications to the relevant Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).

Model code of conduct in effect: Following the notification, the Model Code of Conduct came into effect immediately. District Election Officer and GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan issued strict instructions to enforce election rules. So far, 1,620 cases of violations such as posters, banners, and wall writings have been recorded - 1,097 on government property and 523 on private property - all of which were promptly removed.

Continuous monitoring: The District Election Officer (DEO) has instructed constant monitoring of complaints, with arrangements made through the 1950 helpline and the C-Vigil mobile app for 24/7 tracking. Flying squads and static surveillance teams have been deployed across the constituency to ensure rapid response. Any political promotion on public or private properties requires prior EC approval.

By-Elections in other states: The Election Commission had earlier announced by-elections for eight constituencies across seven states and union territories on November 11, filling vacancies created for various reasons. Apart from Jubilee Hills, these include Budgam and Nagrota in Jammu & Kashmir, Anta in Rajasthan, Ghatsila in Jharkhand, Tarn Taran in Punjab, Dampa in Mizoram, and Nuvapada in Odisha. Vote counting for all these constituencies is scheduled for November 14.

Jubilee Hills by-election ready to go: The Jubilee Hills constituency, a high-profile seat in Hyderabad politics, became vacant after the untimely passing of sitting MLA Maganti Gopinath in June 2025. The official notification issued on October 13 has formally kicked off the election process. With polling and counting slated for November, city authorities are ensuring thorough preparations.

Political significance: Jubilee Hills is one of the most crucial constituencies in the capital city. The outcome is expected to impact state politics significantly. While BRS aims to reclaim the seat won previously by Gopinath, Congress and BJP are mobilizing their forces to strengthen their presence. Parties are focusing on voter dynamics and development initiatives as part of their election strategy.

Election conduct and security measures: From the date of notification, strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct is in place. Political advertisements and posters on public and private properties are tightly regulated, with teams removing unauthorized material. Candidates must disclose criminal records and other relevant details in digital and media campaigns. Flying squads and static surveillance teams have been set up to prevent cash, liquor, or gifts being distributed in violation of rules. Vehicles transporting EVMs will have GPS tracking, and licensed firearms must be deposited at nearby police stations.

Polling arrangements: Polling will be conducted peacefully across 407 centers in 139 locations within the constituency. EVMs and (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail, paper-based system attached to EVMs) VVPAT machines have been tested and prepared. Additional security is being deployed in sensitive areas, and law-and-order teams will be ready to manage any disturbances.

Green election initiative: Authorities are encouraging a “green election” to minimize paper usage. Citizens are urged to report any violations using the Vigil app or the 1950 helpline.

Voter demographics: The Jubilee Hills constituency has approximately 3.9 lakh voters, including 2,04,288 men, 1,88,356 women, and 25 voters from other categories, based on the draft electoral roll.

The stage is set for an intense and closely watched by-election in one of Hyderabad’s most prestigious constituencies.