ECI Announces October 6 Bypolls for Five Assembly Seats and One Lok Sabha Constituency
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for bye-elections to five Assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha constituency, with polling scheduled for October 6, 2026. Counting of votes will take place on October 9, while the entire electoral process is scheduled to be completed by October 11.
The Assembly bypolls will be held in Madurantakam and Dharapuram in Tamil Nadu, Thattanchavady in Puducherry, and Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal. The Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency in Assam will also go to polls. The vacancies have primarily arisen following the resignation of sitting legislators, while the Nagaon parliamentary seat became vacant after the resignation of its sitting MP.
As per the announced electoral calendar, the official notification will be issued on September 9. The last date for filing nominations is September 16, followed by scrutiny on September 17. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations up to September 19.
The announcement initiates the formal electoral process and places the concerned constituencies under the applicable election-related administrative framework. The ECI has also stated that electoral rolls for the constituencies have undergone the required revision and publication process.
The bypolls will provide an opportunity to restore elected representation in the vacant constituencies and reaffirm the constitutional process of democratic representation. The exercise will also require coordinated administrative, security and electoral arrangements to ensure transparent, orderly and credible polling.
