NEW DELHI: Poll panel has decided to conduct by-polls to Kuttanad and Chavara constituencies. The by-elections would be held along with Bihar polls. Poll panel has decided not to cancel the by-elections. The seats of Kuttanad and Chavara became vacant with the death of Thomas Chandy and Vijayan Pillai.

There are 64 vacancies in the legislative assemblies of various states and one in Lok Sabha.

"One of the major factors in clubbing them together is the relative ease of movement of central forces and related logistics issues," a Commission statement said.

The term of the Bihar assembly ends on November 29 and elections are likely to be held sometime in October-November.

"The Commission has decided to conduct all the 65 bye-elections and the General Assembly Elections of Bihar around the same time... Announcement of the schedule of Bihar General Assembly Elections as well as these bye-elections will be done by the Commission at an appropriate time," it said.

Several bypolls were deferred recently due to excessive rains and the COVID-19 pandemic. PTI