KOLKATA — The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Monday that assembly by-polls for West Bengal’s Nandigram and Rejinagar constituencies will take place on October 6, with vote counting scheduled for October 9. The vacancies arose after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) founder Humayun Kabir resigned from Nandigram and Rejinagar, respectively, to retain other seats won in the general assembly elections. Key Election Schedule Gazette Notification: September 9 Nomination Deadline: September 16 Scrutiny of Nominations: September 17 Last Date for Withdrawal: September 19 Date of Polling: October 6 Counting of Votes: October 9 Completion of Election Process: October 11 Background of the Vacancies Adhikari contested and secured victories in both Nandigram and Bhabanipur during the April state elections. After defeating Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur by a margin of 15,105 votes, he opted to retain that seat and vacated Nandigram. Similarly, AJUP leader Humayun Kabir, a former TMC leader who launched his own political outfit following his expulsion, had won both the Rejinagar and Naoda constituencies, choosing to relinquish Rejinagar. Voting Procedures and Identification Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) equipped with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) will be deployed across all polling booths. The Commission noted that revision of electoral rolls will remain open until the close of nominations for applications submitted at least ten days prior. While the Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) serves as the primary document for identification at polling stations, eligible alternative identity proofs—including passport, driving licence, PAN card, and Aadhaar card—will also be accepted. Post navigation Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Issues Stern Warning on Misogynistic Remarks Amid Political Tensions Tejashwi Yadav Urges PM Modi to Visit Flood-Hit Bihar, Demands ₹5,000 Crore Relief Package
