New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS): By-election to the Tiruvarur Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu will be held on January 28, the Election Commission said on Monday, but was silent on the 18 seats rendered vacant by the disqualification of MLAs owing allegiance to expelled AIADMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran.

The Commission also announced by-election on the same day in Jind Assembly constituency in Haryana which became vacant after the death of INLD MLA Hari Chand Middha in September. Counting of votes in both the constituencies will be done on January 31.

The Tiruvarur constituency fell vacant following the death of DMK President M. Karunanidhi on August 7. Apart from Tiruvarur and 18 other seats, there is also another vacant seat in Tamil Nadu -- Tirupparankunram, over which a legal battle is on.

The Commission is normally bound to hold a by-election within six months of vacancy.

The filing of nominations will begin in both Tiruvarur and Jind on January 3 and the last date for the purpose will be January 10. Scrutiny will be done on January 11 and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is January 14.

There was wide expectation in Tamil Nadu that by-elections will also be held in the 18 seats which were won by AIADMK in the 2016 general elections and later went to Dhinakaran side after the death of Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

Elections to 18 seats have a significance because a loss for the ruling AIADMK in them could result in a fall of the government.

Leaders of opposition parties in Tamil Nadu have raised questions over the Commission's decision to hold by-election only in Tiruvarur.