Nagaon Bypolls 2026: Voter Turnout and Allegations Mark Election Day

The Nagaon Lok Sabha bypolls concluded with a voter turnout of 76.19%, lower than previous elections. While polling was largely peaceful, there were reports of EVM issues and allegations of misconduct. Key candidates from BJP, Congress, and AIUDF participated, with all eyes now on the counting results set for October 9. Discover more about the incidents and voter engagement during this significant electoral event.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 6, 2026, 21:02 IST

Polling Overview

Elderly voters exercising their franchise for the high-stakes Nagaon Bypolls 2026 on Tuesday (Photo: Special Arrangement)

Guwahati, Oct 6: The Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll concluded at 5 PM on Tuesday, recording a provisional voter turnout of 76.19%, which is a decline from the 85.3% seen during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when 15,49,998 votes were cast.

Turnout by Assembly Segments

Among the eight Assembly segments, Samaguri led with a turnout of 80.34%, followed by Laharighat at 78.98%, Dhing at 78.16%, and Rupahihat at 78.05%.

Jagiroad saw a turnout of 76.71%, while Morigaon had 72.88%. Nagaon-Batadraba reported 72.26%, and Raha had the lowest turnout at 70.57%.

Election Day Incidents

The polling process was generally smooth, although there were reports of physical altercations and breaches of the Model Code of Conduct, along with issues related to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

At polling booth No. 184 in Samaguri, AIUDF candidate Badruddin Ajmal arrived after a complaint regarding EVM malfunction. He claimed that while the buttons for other candidates worked, his button did not.

“There is something manipulated. The machine should be changed and till then, I will sit here at the polling centre,” Ajmal stated.

Technical issues with EVMs were also noted at polling stations in Raha and Laharighat, but these were resolved, allowing voting to continue.

In Mairabari, an elderly voter named Atabur Rahman was reportedly attacked after casting his vote. His son alleged that Rahman was confronted about his vote and subsequently assaulted after revealing he voted for the lotus symbol.

This allegation has not been independently verified.

Allegations of Code Violations

Imdad Hussain, secretary of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, accused BJP supporters of distributing campaign materials near a polling station in Morigaon, which he claimed violated the Model Code of Conduct. He plans to file a complaint with the Election Commission.

Candidates and Voter Participation

The bypoll featured a competitive race among the BJP, Congress, and AIUDF, with key candidates including BJP's Devasish Sharma, Congress' Sibamoni Bora, and AIUDF's Badruddin Ajmal. All candidates participated in the voting process.

Sharma voted at Mayong Higher Secondary School, while Bora cast her vote in Nagaon-Batadraba. Ajmal arrived later at the Samaguri polling station due to the EVM complaint.

Notably, elderly voters were active, including one who voted from a wheelchair at Karoiguri Middle School in Samaguri.

Context of the Bypoll

The Nagaon bypoll was called following the resignation of former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi, who left the Lok Sabha to contest the Assam Assembly election from Dispur on a BJP ticket.

In the previous 2024 Lok Sabha election, Bordoloi secured the Nagaon seat for Congress with 7,88,850 votes, accounting for 51.29%. BJP's Suresh Borah came in second with 5,76,619 votes (37.49%), while AIUDF's Aminul Islam finished third with 1,37,340 votes (8.93%).

With the polling now complete, attention will shift to the counting centers on October 9, when the results of this crucial bypoll will be announced.