linguistic:translation
A by-election, also known as a special election in the United States and the Philippines, and a bye-election or a bypoll in India, is an election used to fill an office that has become vacant between general elections. A vacancy may arise as a result of an incumbent dying or resigning, or when the incumbent becomes ineligible to continue in office, or when an election is invalidated by voting irregularities. In some cases a vacancy may be filled by a method other than a by-election or the office may be left vacant. These elections can be held anytime in the country. An election to fill a vacancy created when a general election cannot take place in a particular constituency may be called a by-election in some jurisdictions, or may have a distinct name.