Agartala, April 9 (NationPress) The by-election for the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency in the North Tripura district began early Thursday morning amid stringent security measures, according to election officials.

Voters came out in significant numbers, lining up at most of the 55 polling stations within the Dharmanagar Assembly area. Polling commenced at 7 a.m. and will proceed continuously until 5 p.m. in this diverse constituency. A total of 46,142 eligible voters, including 23,758 women, are set to determine the fate of six candidates.

Election authorities, along with the state police, have implemented comprehensive strategies to guarantee a voting process that is free, fair, and transparent. Of the 55 polling stations, 11 are staffed entirely by women, while two stations are operated by teams comprising differently-abled individuals and youth volunteers, showcasing efforts toward inclusive electoral engagement.

The Dharmanagar Assembly constituency, which borders Assam and Mizoram, has historically been a stronghold of either the Congress or the BJP since 2008; the CPI(M) last held the seat in 2003.

A competitive multi-party contest is anticipated in the by-election, with six candidates representing major political parties, smaller groups, and an Independent candidate.

Prominent candidates include Jahar Chakraborti from the ruling BJP, Chayan Bhattacharjee from the Congress, and Amitabha Datta from the CPI(M)-led Left Front.

Datta, a former MLA, previously secured the seat in the 2003 Assembly elections. Chakraborti, aged 59, currently serves as the BJP’s North Tripura district Vice-President. Additionally, candidates from the Amra Bangalee party, SUCI, and an Independent contender are also vying for votes, heightening the competition.

The Left Front and Congress, which had entered a seat-sharing agreement during the 2023 Tripura Assembly elections to jointly oppose the BJP, are contesting independently in this by-election, adding another layer to the contest. Supported by the Left parties, Congress leader Chayan Bhattacharjee narrowly lost to BJP candidate Biswa Bandhu Sen by 956 votes in the 2023 elections for the Dharmanagar seat.

This by-election was called due to the passing of the incumbent MLA and Tripura Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen, who died on December 26, 2025, in a private Bengaluru hospital after a prolonged illness at the age of 72. Sen had been elected to the Tripura Assembly four times—twice as a Congress candidate in 2008 and 2013, and subsequently as a BJP nominee in 2018 and 2023 from the same constituency.

The counting of votes is set for May 4. The month-long campaign for the by-election concluded on Tuesday afternoon.