2 hrs ago
Bypolls Record Early Turnout in Bengal and Tamil Nadu
People are voting in several by-elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry.
By-elections are special votes held to fill seats that have become empty.
Early turnout was highest among the reported figures in Nandigram, followed by Rejinagar and the two Tamil Nadu constituencies.
Some voters in West Bengal faced reported disruptions and tension.
In one Tamil Nadu booth, a voting machine stopped working for a short time.
Officials replaced it, and voting began again.
Assam's Nagaon seat has candidates from the BJP, Congress and AIUDF.
The votes will be counted on October 9.
Nandigram recorded 20.89% turnout by 9 am, while Rejinagar recorded 18.05%.
In Tamil Nadu, Dharapuram reached 17.55% turnout by 9 am and Madurantakam 15.99% by 9.30 am.
Polling in Nandigram and Rejinagar faced reported tensions, including a candidate's allegations and a reported detention.
An EVM malfunction briefly halted voting at a booth in Kottapulipalayam; polling resumed after replacement.
Voting is also taking place in Assam's Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency, where BJP, Congress and AIUDF are contesting; counting is scheduled for October 9.
- Who
- Voters in by-elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry; candidates include BJP, Congress and AIUDF contenders in Nagaon.
- What
- Voting is underway in Assembly bypolls and an Assam Lok Sabha bypoll.
- Where
- West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
- When
- Polling is underway; counting is scheduled for October 9.
- Why
- The seats are being contested as bypolls; the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after Congress leader Pradyut Bordoloi resigned.
Candidates' and complainants' claims
Election authorities' response
Nandigram polling disruption
Candidates' and complainants' claims
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan said he faced protests at Sonachura polling booths and alleged his polling agent had been taken by unidentified people. He also said the election office did not respond to his complaint.
Election authorities' response
The article reports no response from election authorities to Pradhan's complaint.
Rejinagar detention
Candidates' and complainants' claims
Aam Janata Unnayan Party president and MLA Humayun Kabir was reportedly detained by police during polling.
Election authorities' response
The article gives no police explanation or response regarding the reported detention.
Key facts
- Nandigram turnout
- 20.89% by 9 am
- Rejinagar turnout
- 18.05% by 9 am
- Dharapuram turnout
- 17.55% by 9 am
- Madurantakam turnout
- 15.99% by 9.30 am
- Madurantakam registered voters
- 2,13,788
- Nagaon contest
- BJP, Congress and AIUDF
- Counting date
- October 9
Sources
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