Tight Security as Voters Head to Polls in Dharmanagar By-Election
Polling Begins in Dharmanagar Assembly By-Election
Agartala: The by-election for the Dharmanagar Assembly seat in North Tripura district kicked off Thursday morning under stringent security measures, according to election officials.
Voter turnout was significant, with many individuals queuing at the 55 polling stations throughout the Dharmanagar constituency. Voting commenced at 7 a.m. and will proceed without interruption until 5 p.m. in this diverse constituency. A total of 46,142 voters, including 23,758 women, are eligible to participate in the election, which will determine the fate of six candidates.
Election officials, in collaboration with local police, have implemented comprehensive strategies to ensure a free, fair, and transparent voting process. Notably, 11 of the polling stations are staffed entirely by women, while two stations are operated by differently-abled personnel and youth teams, showcasing efforts to promote inclusive electoral participation.
The Dharmanagar constituency, which borders Assam and Mizoram, has been a stronghold for either the Congress or the BJP since 2008, with the CPI(M) last winning the seat in 2003.
A competitive multi-cornered contest is anticipated in this by-election, featuring candidates from major political parties, smaller groups, and an Independent.
Prominent candidates include Jahar Chakraborti from the ruling BJP, Chayan Bhattacharjee representing Congress, and Amitabha Datta from the CPI(M)-led Left Front.
Datta, a former MLA, previously won this seat in the 2003 Assembly elections. Chakraborti, aged 59, is currently the BJP’s North Tripura district Vice-President. Additionally, candidates from the Amra Bangalee party, SUCI, and an Independent are also in the race, heightening the competition.
The Left Front and Congress, which had formed a seat-sharing agreement during the 2023 Tripura Assembly elections to jointly oppose the BJP, are contesting separately in this by-election, adding another layer to the electoral battle. Supported by Left parties, Congress leader Chayan Bhattacharjee narrowly lost to BJP candidate Biswa Bandhu Sen by 956 votes in the 2023 elections.
This by-election was called following the passing of sitting MLA and Tripura Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen, who died on December 26, 2025, in a Bengaluru hospital after a prolonged illness at the age of 72. Sen had been elected to the Tripura Assembly four times—twice as a Congress candidate in 2008 and 2013, and later as a BJP nominee in 2018 and 2023 from the same constituency.
Vote counting is set for May 4, following the conclusion of the month-long campaign on Tuesday afternoon.