New Delhi, Nov 17: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday lifted the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) from Bihar, six states and one Union Territory following the completion of Assembly elections and by-elections across the respective regions.
In a letter addressed to the Cabinet Secretary and the Chief Secretaries of the concerned states and UT, ECI Under Secretary Prafull Awasthi clarified that the MCC remains in force from the announcement of the election schedule until the completion of the election process. With the results for the Bihar Assembly elections 2025 and by-elections in eight constituencies now declared, the MCC “has ceased to be in operation with immediate effect,” the letter stated.
The by-elections were held across Rajasthan (Anta), Jharkhand (Ghatsila–ST), Telangana (Jubilee Hills), Punjab (Tarn Taran), Mizoram (Dampa–ST), Odisha (Nuapada) and two constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir (Budgam and Nagrota).
The lifting of the MCC comes amid intense political activity in Bihar, where the NDA has recorded a sweeping victory, paving the way for the formation of a new state government.
By-Election Results Across States and UT
Rajasthan (Anta): Congress’s Pramod Jain Bhaya defeated BJP’s Morpall Suman.
Telangana (Jubilee Hills): Congress candidate V. Naveen Yadav won, wresting the seat from the BRS’s Maganti Sunitha.
Jammu & Kashmir (Nagrota): BJP’s Devyani Rana emerged victorious.
Jammu & Kashmir (Budgam): PDP’s Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi defeated NC’s Aga Syed Mahmood Al-Mosavi.
Odisha (Nuapada): BJP’s Jay Dholakia beat Congress’s Ghasi Ram Majhi.
Mizoram (Dampa–ST): MNF’s Dr R. Lalthangliana retained the seat, winning by 562 votes.
Punjab (Tarn Taran): AAP’s Harmeet Singh Sandhu secured victory over SAD’s Sukhwinder Kaur.
Jharkhand (Ghatsila–ST): JMM’s Somesh Chandra Soren won decisively against BJP’s Babulal Soren, son of former CM Champai Soren.