The Election Commission of India (ECI) successfully conducted by-elections across five key assembly constituencies on June 19, 2025. These elections were held in Kerala (Nilambur), Punjab (Ludhiana West), Gujarat (Visavadar and Kadi), and West Bengal (Kaliganj). The counting of votes commenced on June 23, 2025, with results reflecting significant political movements ahead of upcoming state and general elections.

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Nilambur By-Election Result – Kerala

Voter Turnout: 75.25%
Constituency Type: High-stakes rural-urban mix
Major Candidates:

• Aryadan Shoukath (Indian National Congress, UDF)

• M. Swaraj (Communist Party of India – Marxist, LDF)

• Mohan George (BJP)

• P.V. Anvar (Independent)

Result: Aryadan Shoukath (INC) won with a margin of over 10,000 votes, marking a significant comeback for the United Democratic Front (UDF). His victory is viewed as a reflection of local discontent over LDF’s handling of wildlife conflicts, agrarian distress, and welfare schemes.

Significance: The result has energized UDF leadership and is expected to influence voter sentiment heading into the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections. The victory also symbolizes the return of INC’s traditional base in Malappuram district.

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Ludhiana West By-Election Result – Punjab

Voter Turnout: 51.3% (lowest in 18 years for this seat)
Major Candidates:

• Sanjeev Arora (Aam Aadmi Party)

• Bharat Bhushan Ashu (Congress)

• Jiwan Gupta (BJP)

• Parupkar Singh Ghuman (SAD)

Result: AAP’s Sanjeev Arora emerged victorious, maintaining a steady lead throughout the rounds of counting. Despite the poor turnout, AAP’s retention of the seat underlines its dominance in urban areas of Punjab.

Significance: The low voter participation raised concerns about election fatigue and the summer heat affecting civic engagement. AAP’s win indicates its sustained hold in Ludhiana, but voter apathy will be a critical challenge for the party moving forward.

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Visavadar By-Election Result – Gujarat

Major Candidates:

• Gopal Italia (AAP)

• Kirit Patel (BJP)

Result: Gopal Italia of the Aam Aadmi Party led in later rounds after initially trailing behind BJP’s Kirit Patel. Italia’s comeback signifies growing support for AAP in Saurashtra, a region where the BJP has traditionally held ground.

Significance: AAP’s performance in Visavadar, led by a prominent youth face like Gopal Italia, represents a strategic breakthrough. It adds to the party’s credibility in Gujarat, where it aims to establish itself as the principal opposition in the 2027 elections.

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Kadi (SC) By-Election Result – Gujarat

Major Candidates:

• Rajendrakumar Chavda (BJP)

• Ramesh Chavda (Congress)

• Jagdish Chavda (AAP)

Result: BJP’s Rajendrakumar Chavda took an early lead and maintained it throughout, securing a clear win.

Significance: The BJP’s success in this Scheduled Caste-reserved seat shows its continued influence among Dalit voters in North Gujarat. It also reaffirms the party’s grassroots organizational strength ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.

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Kaliganj By-Election Result – West Bengal

Major Candidates:

• Alifa Ahamed (TMC)

• Kabil Uddin Shaikh (Congress/Left alliance)

• Ashis Ghosh (BJP)

Result: Alifa Ahamed of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) established a strong lead from the first round of counting and retained it throughout.

Significance: This victory demonstrates TMC’s unwavering control over its strongholds, despite increased pressure from the opposition alliance. The seat, vacated after the death of a TMC legislator, remains firmly in the party’s hands.

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By-Election Summary Table

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Role of the Election Commission of India (ECI)

The Election Commission played a pivotal role in ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections across all five constituencies. Highlights of its administration:

• Multi-layered security at all counting centers

• Use of EVMs and VVPAT audits for verifiable accuracy

• Rapid publication of live results via its official portal

• Strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct

The successful execution of these by-elections reaffirms public trust in ECI’s impartiality and competence. It also sets the standard for upcoming full-scale assembly elections.

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Political Implications Across States

Kerala:

The Congress-led UDF’s victory in Nilambur signals voter discontent with the LDF government and builds momentum for the opposition ahead of 2026.

Punjab:

AAP’s urban hold remains intact, but declining voter turnout could pose a strategic concern. The party must address civic engagement challenges before the next elections.

Gujarat:

The state sees a mixed result — BJP retains its rural base in Kadi, while AAP’s competitive show in Visavadar hints at potential growth. Congress, however, appears increasingly marginalized.

West Bengal:

The TMC continues to dominate, maintaining political stability in the face of opposition from both Left-Congress and BJP alliances.

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Conclusion

The June 2025 by-elections, though limited in scale, offer key insights into the evolving political mood of the country. The wins for UDF in Kerala, AAP in Punjab and Gujarat, BJP’s stronghold in SC-dominated areas, and TMC’s hold in Bengal illustrate the complex, multi-dimensional nature of Indian politics.

These results are likely to influence party strategies in upcoming state elections and eventually the 2029 general elections. For voters, it underscores the importance of every ballot cast — and for political parties, a clear message to stay rooted in public concerns.