ECI declares 21-Ponda Assembly Constituency Bye-Election as null and void.
The has officially cancelled the by-election for the 21-Ponda Assembly constituency in Goa following a directive from the Bombay High Court at Goa.
In a notification issued on April 8, 2026, the Commission stated that its earlier order dated March 16, 2026—calling for a by-election to fill the vacancy caused by the demise of former MLA Ravi Naik—has been declared “null and void” by the court.
The by-election was initially scheduled to be held on April 9, 2026, with polling planned before May 6, 2026. However, the High Court, while hearing multiple petitions (W.P. Nos. 235/2026 and 237/2026 along with a miscellaneous civil application), struck down the Commission’s notification.
Following the court’s ruling, the Election Commission has rescinded its earlier notification and annulled all related electoral processes undertaken so far. This includes actions by the Returning Officer, District Election Officer, and other authorities connected with the by-election.
The Commission clarified that all steps taken in relation to the now-cancelled election stand invalid.
This development introduces uncertainty regarding the timeline for conducting fresh elections in the Ponda constituency, with further directions expected after legal and administrative review.