by(e)-election

英国の政治ニュースから表現を拾います。

Chris Huhne steps down as MP after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice
Former Liberal Democrat Cabinet minister dramatically changes plea

Chris Huhne dramatically announced he was stepping down from Parliament today after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice.

Mr Huhne announced that he is standing down as MP for Eastleigh in Hampshire, which will cause a by-election in a marginal seat he won with a majority of 3,864 over the Conservatives at the 2010 election.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/chris-huhne-steps-down-as-mp-after-pleading-guilty-to-perverting-the-course-of-justice-8479526.html

気になった表現はby-electionです。The Wordsmyth English Dictionary-Thesaurusでチェックしてみると、‘in Britain and other countries, an election held between general elections to fill a vacant seat in government.’と定義されていました。さらに、手持ちの辞書で調べてみたところ、「＜＜主に英＞＞補欠選挙」（『ジーニアス英和辞典　第３版』大修館）と記載されていました。そして補足になりますが、bye-electionとも表記することがあるので、こちらも併せて覚えておこうと思います。(Shou-VR*)