Counting begins for Bengal bypolls, BJP's first electoral test after coming to power
Vote counting has commenced for the Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly bypolls in West Bengal, marking the first electoral test for the BJP since taking power in May 2026. Despite allegations of voter intimidation from opposition parties, the Election Commission reported the polling process as largely peaceful.
Why it matters
The results serve as a key indicator of the BJP's political standing in West Bengal following their recent rise to power and provide insight into the shifting dynamics of the state's opposition.
Counting of votes began at 8 a.m. on Friday (October 9, 2026) for the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly bypolls , the first electoral test for the BJP since it came to power in West Bengal in May this year.
The counting started amid tight security arrangements at the designated centres in both constituencies, with officials first taking up postal ballots and Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballots (ETPB) before proceeding with the EVM votes.
The counting at both seats is taking place in two halls and is scheduled to be completed in 15 rounds, with separate halls earmarked for postal ballots and ETPB votes.
The results will not have any impact on the government, as the BJP has won 207 seats out of the total of 294.
The two constituencies witnessed a high turnout of around 80% on Tuesday (October 6, 2026), with Nandigram recording 80.89% polling and Rejinagar 80.08%.
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