Story perspectives

By-elections in Nandigram, Rejinagar see 79% turnout amid arrests

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 5:57 AM UTC · How we work

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Alleged Booth Capturing

By-elections for the West Bengal Assembly seats of Nandigram and Rejinagar were held on Tuesday, 6 October 2026.
Opposition parties and voters claimed widespread intimidation, booth-capturing, proxy voting, malfunctioning EVMs and ink-stained fingers for Muslim voters, accusing the BJP of rigging the polls.
Turnout was reported at 79.39% in Nandigram and 78.42% in Rejinagar by 5 pm.
Police detained Congress president of Nandigram-I block and arrested AJUP chief Humayun Kabir during voting.

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Arrest After Accusation

By-elections for West Bengal Assembly seats Nandigram and Rejinagar were held on Tuesday, 6 October 2026.
Election officials highlighted the high voter turnout and a largely peaceful atmosphere, noting only minor incidents.
Nandigram recorded a 79.39 % turnout and Rejinagar 78.42 % .
Humayun Kabir, AJUP chief, was arrested after accusing police of serving Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
The Election Commission moved Nandigram police officer hours before polling and named a new officer-in-charge.

History

Historical Context

In 2007, the West Bengal government's Haldia Development Authority plan triggered the Nandigram land-acquisition clash, igniting widespread violence across the district. The CPI(M)-led state administration mobilized 5,000 police, and the unrest resulted in at least 14 deaths and displaced roughly 100,000 residents. The October 6, 2026 Nandigram and Rejinagar by-elections mirror those tensions, with opposition figures such as AJUP chief Humayun Kabir arrested amid rigging claims. These recurring disputes underscore West Bengal’s fragile electoral integrity, prompting the Election Commission to tighten oversight and signaling potential national scrutiny of democratic processes.

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Alleged Booth Capturing

By-elections for the West Bengal Assembly seats of Nandigram and Rejinagar were held on Tuesday, 6 October 2026.
Opposition parties and voters claimed widespread intimidation, booth-capturing, proxy voting, malfunctioning EVMs and ink-stained fingers for Muslim voters, accusing the BJP of rigging the polls.
Turnout was reported at 79.39% in Nandigram and 78.42% in Rejinagar by 5 pm.
Police detained Congress president of Nandigram-I block and arrested AJUP chief Humayun Kabir during voting.

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