Bypolls Underway in Five Assembly Seats, One Lok Sabha Constituency Across Four States

New Delhi: Voting began at 7 am today for by-elections to five Assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha constituency across different states. The bypolls are being held in Rejinagar and Nandigram in West Bengal, Madurantakam and Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu, and Thattanchavady in Puducherry, as well as the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency in Assam. Counting of votes will be held on Friday.

Tight security arrangements have been put in place across the constituencies. Reports said 71 companies of central forces have been deployed in Nandigram and Rejinagar, while webcasting facilities are available at all polling booths.

In Nagaon, 15 candidates are contesting, including BJP's Debashish Sharma, Congress's Sibamoni Bora and AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal.

In Puducherry's Thattanchavady, the AINRC-led NDA, Congress and DMK are in the fray.

The bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar have drawn attention amid the new political situation in West Bengal. In Rejinagar, reports said Aam Janata Unnayan Party leader and MLA Humayun Kabir was taken into police custody after casting his vote.

In Tamil Nadu, the ruling TVK, DMK, AIADMK and Left parties are contesting the bypolls.