The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday announced the schedule for the by-election to Milkipur assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya district.

Voting will take place on February 5, with the results set to be declared on February 10.

"The Commission has decided to hold by-elections to fill vacancies in the following Assembly constituencies along with general election to the legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi, 2025,” the ECI statement said.

The Milkipur assembly seat fell vacant following the resignation of Awadhesh Prasad, who was elected MLA from the constituency during the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. In 2024, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav fielded Prasad as the Lok Sabha candidate from Faizabad (Ayodhya), where he defeated BJP’s Lallu Singh.

After securing his victory in the Lok Sabha polls, Prasad resigned from Milkipur, necessitating this by-election.

Earlier, by-elections to nine assembly seats were held in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP secured victories on seven seats, while the SP won on two—Karhal and Sisamau.

One of the most surprising outcomes was the BJP’s victory in the Muslim-dominated Kundarki assembly seat, traditionally considered a stronghold of the Samajwadi Party. BJP candidate Ramveer Singh emerged victorious, breaking years of dominance by the opposition.

The Election Commission delayed the election for the Milkipur seat due to a writ petition filed by former MLA Gorakhnath Baba in the Allahabad High Court. The petition challenged Awadhesh Prasad’s victory in the 2022 elections. However, the case has now been withdrawn, paving the way for the by-election.