West Bengal Bypolls: Nandigram, Rejinagar Record Nearly 79% Turnout By 5 PM

Polling in the Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore and Rejinagar Assembly constituency in Murshidabad ended at 6 PM on Tuesday, with both seats witnessing reports of tension, voter intimidation and alleged electoral malpractices.

The two constituencies recorded a combined turnout of 78.90 per cent by 5 PM.

Rejinagar registered 78.42 per cent polling, while Nandigram recorded 79.39 per cent.

Voting continued beyond 6 PM at several booths as officials allowed voters already in queues to cast their ballots.

Officials expected the final turnout to cross 80 per cent, which would be a notably high figure for bypolls.

The Congress and Mamata All India Trinamool Congress sought repolling across Rejinagar and at select booths in Nandigram, citing alleged irregularities.

The BJP rejected the allegations and said voters had participated enthusiastically in a festive atmosphere.

A key incident took place soon after polling began when Aam Janata Unnayan Party founder and legislator Humayun Kabir was arrested over allegations of influencing voters, threatening police personnel and allegedly grabbing an on-duty officer by the collar.

BJP candidates Hasirani Rath from Nandigram and Shakharav Sarkar from Rejinagar expressed confidence about winning their respective seats.

Former West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, meanwhile, alleged electoral malpractice in Rejinagar, adding to the political tensions surrounding the polling process.

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