Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Nandigram, Rejinagar Bypolls Record Nearly 79% Turnout
People voted in by-elections in two West Bengal constituencies on Tuesday.
By 5 pm, about 79 out of every 100 registered voters had voted in each constituency.
Nandigram had a turnout of 79.39%, and Rejinagar had 78.42%.
Voting was scheduled to run from 7 am to 6 pm, and people still waiting in line could vote after 6 pm.
Election officials said voting was mostly peaceful.
Another report described occasional scuffles between supporters of different parties.
Officials also received complaints through two election complaint systems.
Humayun Kabir was arrested after an argument with police in Rejinagar.
The seats were being contested because their previous representatives retained other constituencies.
By 5 pm Tuesday, Nandigram turnout was 79.39% and Rejinagar turnout was 78.42%.
Polling began at 7 am and was scheduled to end at 6 pm, with voters still queued allowed to cast ballots.
Election officials described polling as mostly peaceful, while another report noted sporadic scuffles between party supporters.
Officials reported 37 complaints through the Correspondence Management System and 60 through the National Grievance Service Portal.
Rejinagar candidate Humayun Kabir was arrested after an argument with police; officials sought a report on the incident.
- Who
- Voters in Nandigram and Rejinagar; candidates included Humayun Kabir in Rejinagar.
- What
- Assembly by-elections took place, with turnout reaching 79.39% in Nandigram and 78.42% in Rejinagar by 5 pm.
- When
- Tuesday; polling began at 7 am and was scheduled to end at 6 pm.
- Where
- Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district and Rejinagar in Murshidabad district, West Bengal.
- Why
- The seats became vacant after their previous winners retained other constituencies.
Election Commission account
Reported concerns
Conduct of polling
Election Commission account
An election official said polling was peaceful apart from some very small incidents.
Reported concerns
A report described sporadic scuffles between supporters of ruling and opposition parties in both constituencies.
Kabir's arrest
Election Commission account
The Election Commission sought a report about Humayun Kabir's arrest following an argument with police.
Reported concerns
Kabir accused police of acting at the behest of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
- Nandigram turnout by 5 pm
- 79.39%
- Rejinagar turnout by 5 pm
- 78.42%
- Combined electorate
- Around 5.24 lakh electors
- Polling hours
- 7 am to 6 pm; voters still queued could cast ballots afterward
- CMS complaints
- 37 received through the Correspondence Management System
- NGSP complaints
- 60 received through the National Grievance Service Portal
- Rejinagar incident
- Humayun Kabir was arrested after an argument with police; the Election Commission sought a report
