West Bengal Byelections 2026: Nandigram Sees 79.39% Turnout
Voting concluded in West Bengal's Nandigram and Rejinagar with significant turnout amid allegations of voter intimidation.
Nandigram recorded a voter turnout of 79.39% by 5 p.m.
Congress demands re-polling in both Nandigram and Rejinagar due to alleged irregularities.
Assam's Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll saw a turnout of 76%.
Voting for the byelections in West Bengal's Nandigram and Rejinagar concluded at 6 p.m. on October 6, 2026, with Nandigram reporting a turnout of 79.39% and Rejinagar 78.42% by 5 p.m. The Election Commission confirmed that those still in line at closing time would be allowed to vote, ensuring a peaceful polling process despite some reported disturbances.
The byelections were necessitated by the resignation of Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi, who left his position to contest successfully in the Assembly elections. The polling in Nandigram and Rejinagar was marked by significant voter participation, with officials noting that nearly 79% of registered voters in both constituencies exercised their right to vote. However, the day was not without controversy, as Congress candidate Milan Pradhan alleged widespread voter intimidation and police bias.
In Assam, the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat saw a turnout of 76% by the end of voting, with officials anticipating this figure to rise as voters who entered polling stations before closing were still permitted to cast their ballots. The Nagaon bypoll was characterized by a peaceful atmosphere, with minor technical glitches reported at some polling booths.
The Congress party has raised serious concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral process in West Bengal, with party leaders claiming that their agents faced intimidation and were forcibly removed from polling stations. Subhankar Sarkar, the West Bengal Congress president, called for a complete re-poll in both constituencies, citing these alleged irregularities as detrimental to fair voting practices.
Looking ahead, the counting of votes is scheduled for October 9, 2026. The outcome of these byelections is expected to have significant implications for the political landscape in West Bengal, particularly as parties strategize for the upcoming general elections. The political tension surrounding these byelections underscores the ongoing challenges in ensuring free and fair elections in the region.
