The Bombay High Court at Goa has canceled the notification for the Ponda assembly bypoll, which was scheduled for April 9, 2023, following a petition that challenged the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision. The court ruled that the election was arbitrary since the term for any elected representative would be less than one year, violating Section 151A of the Representation of the People’s Act. The ruling came after the death of former Goa Chief Minister Ravi Naik in October 2022, necessitating the bypoll. The Congress party condemned the cancellation, claiming it reflects a 'dark day for democracy' and suggesting that the ECI is acting on behalf of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In contrast, BJP spokesperson Siddharth Kuncalienkar expressed shock at the court's ruling, noting that such interventions are uncommon once elections are declared. The Chief Electoral Officer of Goa, Sanjay Goel, stated that election teams were still on the ground, awaiting further instructions from the ECI.