PATNA, July 2 -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announced the schedule for by-elections for three seats, including the high-profile Bankipur assembly seat in Patna, on July 30. The counting will take place on August 3.

The Bankipur seat had fallen vacant after the election of BJP national president Nitin Nabin to the Rajya Sabha. Nabin represented the seat five times.

With the announcement of election, the model code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect in the district comprising the assembly seat going to by-election.

As per the notification, after the gazette notification on July 6, the last date for making nomination is July 13, the scrutiny of nominations will happen on July 14 and the last date ...