Voting Commences in Datiya Assembly By-Election in Madhya Pradesh

The by-election for the Datiya assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh has begun, with polling stations open from 7 AM to 6 PM. A total of 220,344 voters are eligible to cast their votes for 21 candidates, including nominees from major parties like BJP and Congress. Security measures are in place to ensure a smooth voting process, and results will be revealed on August 3. This election follows significant legal challenges faced by previous candidates, adding an intriguing layer to the electoral dynamics.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 30, 2026, 08:40 IST

Voting Process Begins in Datiya

In Datiya, Madhya Pradesh, the by-election for the assembly seat commenced at 7 AM on Thursday and will continue until 6 PM. Election Commission officials have reported that there are a total of 291 polling stations set up in the constituency, where 220,344 voters will cast their votes to determine the fate of 21 candidates. Out of these polling stations, 186 are located in rural areas while 105 are in urban regions.

Voter Demographics and Counting Schedule

Among the eligible voters, there are 116,088 men and 104,246 women. The results will be announced on August 3 following the counting of votes. Officials noted that voters began arriving at polling stations early in the morning, showing enthusiasm in exercising their voting rights.

Security Measures in Place

In light of the elections, the State Election Commission and district administration are fully prepared. They have urged citizens to vote without fear. Superintendent of Police Mayur Khandelwal informed a news agency that security forces have been deployed in anticipation of the voting.

Complaint Control Room Established

A control room has also been established to ensure immediate action on any complaints received. The police are closely monitoring suspicious individuals and will take strict action against anyone attempting to disrupt the voting process or disturb public order. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated Ashutosh Tiwari for this seat, while the Congress party has fielded Ghanshyam Singh.

Other Candidates in the Race

Damodar Singh Yadav from the Azad Samaj Party is also contesting, aiming to make the competition triangular. In addition to these three candidates, there are 18 others in the fray, which could influence the electoral dynamics of major political parties. In the 2023 assembly elections, Congress candidate Rajendra Bharti defeated then Home Minister Narottam Mishra by over 7,500 votes.

Legal Issues Affecting Candidates

However, in April, a Delhi court sentenced Bharti to three years in prison for a fraud case, leading to the termination of his assembly membership and necessitating the by-election in Datiya. Bharti was later granted bail. The BJP decided not to give a ticket to Narottam Mishra for this by-election and instead placed their bet on Ashutosh Tiwari, who has ties to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.