CHENNAI: The state Assembly secretariat has communicated the vacancy of Thirukovilur Assembly constituency to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The Assembly secretariat has formally written to the state Chief Electoral Officer, intimating the vacancy of Thirukovilur constituency.

The largely rural Assembly segment in Villupuram district fell vacant following the disqualification of former minister and DMK deputy general secretary K Ponmudy upon his conviction in the disproportionate assets case.

The Assembly Secretariat has already communicated to the ECI the vacancy of Vilavancode following the resignation of S Vijayadharani who quit the Congress and joined the BJP recently.

With the vacancy of the two seats communicated, the ECI could likely hold by-elections to the seats along with the ensuing Parliamentary election.

Sources in ECI confirmed the receipt of communication from the Assembly Speaker regarding Thirukovilur vacancy and said that the it would be formally notified as vacancy soon.

It would only be the second/third by poll in the state in the incumbent Assembly since 2021.

The first by poll of the current Assembly was held early in February 2023 following the demise of Thirumagan Evera of the Congress party. Senior Congress leader and deceased Eevera's father EVKS Elangovan was elected from the seat then.