Bypolls Underway Across Multiple States Amid Security and Detentions

Voting is underway for byelections across five Assembly constituencies in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, along with one Lok Sabha seat in Assam. Counting of votes is scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2026.

West Bengal And Detentions

In West Bengal, polling has seen high turnout alongside political friction. Nandigram recorded a 20.89% voter turnout by 9 a.m., the highest among reporting constituencies. Bengal Congress leaders alleged EVM issues, booth capturing, proxy voting, and voter intimidation. A Congress block president, Asraful Tulla, was detained after police picked him up from his booth camp. Meanwhile, AJUP chief Humayun Kabir was detained in Rejinagar following a verbal altercation with police over his presence at the party office during polling. The AJUP has fielded his son, Golam Nabi Azad, from the seat.

Tamil Nadu And Puducherry

In Tamil Nadu, polling covers the Madurantakam and Dharapuram reserved constituencies, which were vacated after the resignation of MLAs K. Maragatham Kumaravel and P. Sathyabama, who joined the TVK. Madurantakam recorded a 15.99% turnout by 9:30 a.m., while Dharapuram saw 17.55% by 9 a.m. Voting in a Dharapuram booth was briefly halted due to a dysfunctional EVM before being replaced. In Puducherry, the Thattanchavady bypoll recorded a 19.2% turnout by 9 a.m. among its 26,921 electors.

Assam And Security

Assam's Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll involves a triangular contest among the BJP, Congress, and AIUDF, with turnout crossing 17% by 9 a.m. In Nandigram, security forces deployed 37 companies of central forces and about 700 state police personnel across 323 polling booths.

Context

Byelections serve to fill sudden legislative vacancies caused by resignations or deaths between regular election cycles. These high-stakes local contests often draw intense political mobilization as ruling and opposition parties test their grassroots strength. Election commissions deploy central forces and web-streaming to manage sensitive booths and ensure fair voting.