Voters in six constituencies are due to go to the polls on October 6, 2026, under a by-election schedule announced by the Election Commission of India. Five are assembly constituencies: Madurantakam and Dharapuram in Tamil Nadu, Thattanchavady in Puducherry, and Rejinagar and Nandigram in West Bengal. The sixth is the Nagaon parliamentary constituency in Assam. Counting is scheduled for October 9.
Why these seats are voting
The ECI’s September 7 press note lists resignations as the reason for each vacancy. It identifies Maragatham Kumaravel for Madurantakam, P. Sathyabama for Dharapuram, N. Rangasamy for Thattanchavady, Humayun Kabir for Rejinagar, Suvendu Adhikari for Nandigram and Pradyut Bordoloi for Nagaon. These are the Commission’s stated reasons for the vacancies; the announcement does not forecast how any constituency will vote.
The nomination period in the notified schedule ended on September 16, scrutiny was set for September 17 and withdrawal for September 19. The poll is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, and the counting for Friday, October 9. The ECI states that the election process should be completed by October 11. Voters should rely on subsequent official notices for the final candidate list and local polling arrangements.
Rolls and identification
The Commission says electoral rolls continue to be updated within the limits specified in its notice. An eligible resident should verify their name in the relevant constituency’s roll before polling day; possession of an identity card alone does not establish inclusion in the roll. The elector photo identity card is the principal polling-station identification document, but the ECI also lists alternatives, including Aadhaar, an Indian passport, driving licence, PAN card and other specified photo documents.
The ECI says electronic voting machines and voter verifiable paper audit trail units will be used at all polling stations in these by-elections. The model code of conduct took effect in the affected districts under the Commission’s applicable instruction. Candidates and parties have disclosure obligations regarding criminal antecedents, with information also available through the ECI’s candidate information service.
Next steps
Eligible voters should check their assigned polling station, verify the latest roll entry, and consult the ECI or their chief electoral officer for any changes to arrangements. This report covers the election timetable and voting procedure, not campaign claims or predictions.
Sources
Official source document. Illustrative photo: Naveed Ahmed/Unsplash; the image does not depict the reported event.
