Bengal bypolls 2026: 19.47% turnout in first two hours at Nandigram, Rejinagar
Synopsis
West Bengal's Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls opened with a combined 19.47% turnout in the first two hours — a figure observers call encouraging for a bypoll. But the early hours were not without controversy: AJUP legislator Humayun Kabir was arrested for threatening police, while CPI(M) and Congress alleged booth-level irregularities at both seats.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal bypolls at Nandigram and Rejinagar recorded an average 19.47% turnout in the first two hours on 6 October 2026 .
Nandigram logged 20.89% and Rejinagar logged 18.05% by 9 am .
AJUP legislator Humayun Kabir was arrested in Rejinagar for allegedly threatening police and grabbing an on-duty officer's collar.
CPI(M) alleged its agents were barred from booths 112, 113, 114 , and 122 in Dadpur area of Rejinagar.
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan alleged polling agents were driven out of booths in Nandigram; BJP candidate Hasirani Rath denied the claims.
Congress Block-1 president Sheikh Asraful Tulla was arrested during voting; Congress called it an unwarranted detention.
Voting in the West Bengal bypolls to the Nandigram Assembly Constituency in East Midnapore district and the Rejinagar seat in Murshidabad district recorded an average turnout of 19.47% in the first two hours on 6 October 2026. Political observers noted the figure as relatively encouraging, given that voter enthusiasm in bypolls typically runs lower than in general elections.
Constituency-wise Turnout
By 9 am, the polling percentage at Nandigram stood at 20.89%, while Rejinagar logged 18.05% in the same window. Barring stray incidents at both seats, the process was broadly peaceful in the opening hours, according to officials.
Arrest of AJUP Leader Humayun Kabir
A significant development unfolded in Rejinagar, where the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, sought a report from the Murshidabad district administration following the arrest of Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) founder and legislator Humayun Kabir. Kabir was accused of repeatedly threatening police personnel and reportedly grabbing the collar of an on-duty officer.
A district police officer clarified the basis for the arrest: Kabir's son, Golam Nabi Azad, is the AJUP candidate for the Rejinagar bypoll, but Kabir himself is neither the candidate nor a designated polling agent. 'Kabir's son, Golam Nabi Azad, is the candidate for Rejinagar bypoll. Kabir is not the candidate. He is neither the polling agent of his son. So, he has no authority to move from one booth to the other and make provocative statements. He violated the rules since morning. So, he had been arrested,' the officer said.
Opposition Allegations of Booth Irregularities
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) alleged that its polling agents were prevented from entering several booths in the Dadpur area of Rejinagar, specifically booths 112, 113, 114, and 122. The party lodged a formal complaint over the alleged exclusion.
Mild tension was also reported from Nandigram, where Congress candidate Milan Pradhan alleged that his polling agents were forcibly driven out of booths by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters, with Central forces personnel allegedly remaining silent. BJP candidate from Nandigram, Hasirani Rath, denied the allegations, stating: 'In Nandigram, the opposition parties are suffering from a survival crisis, and so they are making false allegations.' Congress subsequently lodged a formal complaint with the CEO, West Bengal.
Congress Leader Detained in Nandigram
Police also arrested Sheikh Asraful Tulla, president of Nandigram Block-1 Congress, during voting hours. Congress alleged the detention was unwarranted. 'There is no such thing as democracy in the area now. The concerned authorities are being informed about this incident,' a district Congress leader said. The party has flagged the incident to electoral authorities.
What to Watch
As polling continues through the day, the CEO's office is monitoring incoming reports from both districts. The final turnout figure and the outcome of the complaints filed by CPI(M) and Congress will be closely watched as a gauge of the election's overall conduct.
Point of View
But the more telling story is the pattern of complaints already piling up before mid-morning. Booth exclusions alleged by CPI(M), agent expulsions alleged by Congress, and the arrest of a sitting legislator in Rejinagar collectively suggest that West Bengal's election management challenges have not eased. The CEO's office seeking a district report on Humayun Kabir's arrest so early in the day points to an administration that is reacting rather than pre-empting. How the final turnout and the complaint resolutions are handled will matter as much as the results for the state's democratic credibility.
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the voter turnout in the West Bengal bypolls in the first two hours?
The average turnout for the West Bengal bypolls at Nandigram and Rejinagar was 19.47% in the first two hours of voting on 6 October 2026. Nandigram recorded 20.89% and Rejinagar recorded 18.05% by 9 am.
Why was AJUP legislator Humayun Kabir arrested during the Rejinagar bypoll?
Humayun Kabir, founder of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP), was arrested for allegedly threatening police and grabbing an on-duty officer's collar. Police noted he had no official role at the booths since he was neither the candidate nor a polling agent, yet was moving between booths and making provocative statements.
What allegations have opposition parties raised about booth irregularities?
CPI(M) alleged its polling agents were barred from entering booths 112, 113, 114, and 122 in the Dadpur area of Rejinagar. Congress candidate Milan Pradhan alleged his agents were forcibly removed from Nandigram booths by BJP supporters. Both parties have filed complaints with the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal.
Who is the BJP candidate in Nandigram and what did she say about the allegations?
The BJP candidate in Nandigram is Hasirani Rath, who denied all opposition allegations of booth irregularities. She stated that opposition parties were suffering from a 'survival crisis' and were therefore making what she called false allegations.
What happened to Congress Block-1 president Sheikh Asraful Tulla in Nandigram?
Sheikh Asraful Tulla, president of Nandigram Block-1 Congress, was arrested by police during polling hours. Congress alleged the detention was unnecessary and has informed electoral authorities about the incident.
