politicians•3 min read•10/6/2026•7 views
Bypolls Today: Nandigram, Nagaon Lok Sabha Seat and Four Other Constituencies Vote
Voting is under way today in by-elections to five assembly seats in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, including Nandigram, and to the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency in Assam. The Election Commission will count votes on October 9.
October 6, 2026: Voters in four states and union territories are casting ballots today in by-elections to five assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha seat, announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on September 7. Votes will be counted on October 9.
The Seats Going to Polls
Lok Sabha
- Nagaon (Assam): Vacated after sitting MP Pradyut Bordoloi quit the Congress in March 2026, joined the BJP, and was elected to the Assam Assembly from Dispur. Fifteen candidates remained in the fray after withdrawals, according to local media. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has acknowledged the seat is challenging for the BJP, which lost it in 2024.
Assembly Constituencies
- Nandigram (West Bengal): Vacated by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who won from two seats and chose to retain Bhabanipur, where he defeated former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
- A second West Bengal seat: Vacated after former Trinamool leader Kabir, founder of the AJUP, won both Rejinagar and Naoda in the 2026 elections and retained one.
- Madurantakam (SC) and Dharapuram (SC) (Tamil Nadu): Won by AIADMK candidates Maragatham Kumaravel and P. Sathyabama in 2026; both resigned and joined the ruling TVK, necessitating bypolls.
- Thattanchavady (Puducherry): Vacated by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, who won from both Thattanchavady and Mangalam and retained Mangalam.
Why These Bypolls Matter
- They are the first electoral tests since the April–May 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
- Nandigram has symbolic importance in Bengal politics, from the 2007 land agitation to high-profile electoral contests.
- In Tamil Nadu, the results will indicate whether voters endorse legislators who switched to the ruling party.
- The Nagaon result will be read as a signal of the opposition's strength in Assam.
Rules on Polling Day
- The Model Code of Conduct applies in the districts concerned.
- Campaigning ended 48 hours before the close of polling.
- Voters can use their EPIC voter ID or other approved photo identity documents.
What Happens Next
Counting takes place on Friday, October 9, and the ECI has said the election process will be completed by October 11.
FAQ
When will bypoll results be declared?
Counting is on October 9, 2026.
Why are bypolls held?
When a seat falls vacant due to resignation, death, disqualification or a member retaining another seat, a by-election must generally be held within six months.