New Delhi, January 31
The process for electing new representatives in Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura began today with the Election Commission issuing formal notification for the one-day poll.

Balloting would be held in 65 Assembly constituencies in Himachal Pradesh and 60 seats each in three Northeastern states on February 26.

Three snow-bound constituencies of Himachal Pradesh — Lahaul Spiti, Kinnaur and Pangi Bharmaur would go to poll in June, the date for which is yet to be decided.

The last date for filing nominations would be February 7. The papers would be scrutinised the next day and the last date for withdrawal of candidature was February 10.

Counting of ballots would be done on March 1.

The term of the present Assembly in Himachal Pradesh was due to expire on March 11, Meghalaya on March 8 and Nagaland and Tripura on March 22. Simultaneously, by-elections would also be conducted in eight Assembly constituencies spread over seven states-- two in Uttar Pradesh (Gauriganj and Haidergarh) and one each in Jammu and Kashmir (Pampore), Tamil Nadu (Sattankulam), Jharkhand (Poriyahat), Karnataka (Humnabad), Maharashtra (Bhokarden) and Assam (Ratabari).

The Pampore Assembly constituency in Jammu and Kashmir fell vacant following the killing of Peoples Democratic Party member Abdul Aziz Mir last month.

Sattankulam byelection in Tamil Nadu was caused by the death of erstwhile Tamil Nadu Congress representative S.S. Mani Nadar.

Of the two byelections in Uttar Pradesh, the one in the Haidergarh Assembly constituency was necessitated following resignation of former Chief Minister Rajnath Singh after his election to Rajya Sabha, while Noor Mohammad’s death left the Gauriganj seat vacant.

The Humnabad byelection in Karnataka had been ordered as the election of sitting member Subash Kallur was declared void while election to Poriyahat seat in Jharkhand arose following resignation of Pradeep Yadav.