EC announces Nandigram, Rejinagar bypolls on Oct 6, results on Oct 9
Times of India | 8 September 2026
Kolkata: Election Commission on Monday announced bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar constituencies on Oct 6 and counting of votes on Oct 9. The bypolls were necessitated by the resignations of Nandigram MLA Suvendu Adhikari, who won from both Nandigram and Bhowanipore in the April assembly elections, and Rejinagar MLA Humayun Kabir.
According to the EC schedule, the notification for bypolls will be issued on Sept 9, last date for filing nominations is Sept 16 while scrutiny will take place on Sept 17. Candidates can withdraw their nominations till Sept 19. The Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect in Murshidabad (for Rejinagar) and East Midnapore (for Nandigram).
The bypoll announcement comes at a time when two factions of Trinamool are locked in a bitter dispute over which group represents the original party. Both factions have approached EC staking claim to the party’s electoral symbol. With the matter pending, it remains to be seen whether EC issues its ruling before Sept 9.
In the assembly polls, Adhikari defeated Trinamool chairperson and former CM Mamata Banerjee in Bhowanipore and subsequently chose to retain the south Kolkata seat, resigning as MLA from Nandigram. Aam Janata Unnayan Party chief Kabir, who won from both Rejinagar and Nowda, resigned as Rejinagar MLA.
EC said the existing electoral rolls for Nandigram and Rejinagar were published on Feb 28. “However, the process of continuous updation of electoral rolls will continue till the last date of filing nominations, with respect to proximate qualifying date, in respect to applications received till 10 days before last date of filing nominations,” it added.
EVMs and VVPATs would be used at all polling stations during the bypolls. EPIC will be the main identification document for voters apart from several alternative documents, including Aadhaar, PAN card, passport and driving licence. The election process for the two constituencies is scheduled to be completed by Oct 11.
Bypolls would also be held in Madurantakam and Dharapuram in Tamil Nadu, Thattanchavady in Puducherry and Nagaon Lok Sabha seat in Assam on Oct 6. Two other Lok Sabha seats — Shillong in Meghalaya and Basirhat in Bengal — remain vacant and polls have not been announced there yet.