Vote counting begins for by-elections across five states and UT

Vote counting starts today, October 9, 2026, for bypolls across five Assembly seats and one Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Puducherry, and Assam. In Tamil Nadu, Madurantakam and Dharapuram vote counting is happening under a three-tier security cover. Madurantakam recorded 86.26% voter turnout and Dharapuram polled 80.30%, as per final figures released by the ECI. These Tamil Nadu bypolls are a test of popularity for the TVK party after it came to power in May, while the AIADMK hopes to win back seats lost in April. In West Bengal, counting for the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly seats starts at 8 a.m., with postal ballots first and EVM votes next. Nearly 80% of around 5.24 lakh electors voted in these two Bengal seats, with Nandigram at 80.89% and Rejinagar at 80.08%. These Bengal results will show the political mood after the BJP replaced the TMC in power. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to interfere with a Calcutta High Court order granting interim bail to Congress Nandigram candidate Milan Pradhan. Counting is also underway for Puducherry's Thattanchavady Assembly seat and Assam's Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency. About 76% of roughly 19.05 lakh voters turned out for Nagaon on October 6, a seat left vacant after Pradyut Bordoloi quit Congress to win the Dispur Assembly seat for the BJP. In Tamil Nadu, the DMK filed a complaint with the ECI against TVK Dharapuram candidate P. Sathyabama for alleged code violations and hidden campaign expenses.

Context

Bypolls are held when a seat in a legislative body becomes vacant due to the resignation, death, or disqualification of its member. Counting days involve strict security measures like three-tier covers and postal ballots being opened before Electronic Voting Machines. These localized elections often serve as important indicators of shifting voter support between major political parties between major general elections.