Bypolls 2026: Voting begins in 6 seats across Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Puducherry

(Photo Credit : Officials carry election materials as they arrive at a polling station ahead of the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, in Nagaon district, Assam. (PTI Photo))Voting began on Tuesday, October 6, in six constituencies across Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry, in the first major electoral test for the political equations that emerged after the 2026 Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.The Election Commission has scheduled polling for five Assembly seats and one Lok Sabha constituency, with counting of votes on October 9. The election process is to be completed by October 11.Voter turnout as of 3pmNandigram in West Bengal recorded the highest voter turnout among the five Assembly constituencies with 71.79 % polling recorded till 3 pm.West Bengal's Rejinagar recorded 69.29% by 3pm, while Puducherry's Thattanchavady followed with 68.91% turnout. In Tamil Nadu, Dharapuram recorded 68.08% polling and Madurantakam 70.31% during the same period.Which seats are voting today?State/UTConstituencyTypeTamil NaduMadurantakam (SC)AssemblyTamil NaduDharapuram (SC)AssemblyWest BengalNandigramAssemblyWest BengalRejinagarAssemblyPuducherryThattanchavadyAssemblyAssamNagaonLok SabhaThe vacancies arose following resignations by the sitting lawmakers.In Assam, the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after Congress leader Pradyut Bordoloi resigned from the Lok Sabha after switching political sides.Why these bypolls matterThe contests are being watched as early tests for the governments and political formations that took shape after this year's elections.Tamil Nadu: The Madurantakam and Dharapuram bypolls are the first electoral test for the newly formed TVK government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. The contests involve TVK, DMK, AIADMK and other parties.West Bengal: Nandigram and Rejinagar are particularly significant for the BJP, which ended the TMC's 15-year rule in the 2026 Assembly elections. Nandigram has also gained political significance as Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's former constituency.In Nandigram, the BJP has fielded Hasirani Rath, while Congress candidate Milan Pradhan is backed by the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC faction after its nominee withdrew from the contest.Puducherry: The Thattanchavady Assembly bypoll is a test for the four-month-old NDA government headed by Chief Minister N Rangasamy. Rangasamy had won from both Thattanchavady and Mangalam and retained the latter.Assam: Nagaon is the only Lok Sabha constituency among the six seats going to polls. The BJP is seeking to wrest the seat from Congress in a contest that could indicate whether the party can consolidate its gains in the state.When will the bypoll results be declared?Counting is scheduled for October 9, with the Election Commission requiring the entire election process to be completed by October 11.Election eventDatePollingOctober 6, 2026CountingOctober 9, 2026Election process to be completed byOctober 11, 2026The bypoll schedule was announced by the Election Commission on September 7.Continue Reading(Edited by : Ajay Vaishnav)First Published: Oct 6, 2026 8:22 AM IST