Polling Underway in Nandigram and Rejinagar By-Elections

Polling began at 7 a.m. on October 6 in the West Bengal Assembly constituencies of Nandigram and Rejinagar, with voting scheduled to continue until 6 p.m. and counting set for October 9. The by-elections are being held after vacancies arose when Suvendu Adhikari retained Bhabanipur after winning Nandigram, and Humayun Kabir retained Nowda after winning Rejinagar as well as that seat in the 2026 Assembly election. Interim turnout figures showed participation rising through the day. By 11 a.m., officials reported turnout of 43.95% in Nandigram and 38.71% in Rejinagar. By 1 p.m., the figures had reached 60.32% and 56.43%, respectively. These were snapshots during polling; final turnout figures were not available in the reports. Humayun Kabir, the Aam Janata Unnayan Party chief and MLA, was detained at his party office during polling after an argument with police. Officials cited alleged election-rule violations, and a poll official said the matter was being probed. Kabir had alleged police interference at polling booths. The available accounts do not establish the specific rule officials said was breached or the outcome of any inquiry.