Voting commenced on Wednesday for the bypolls in 13 Assembly constituencies spread across seven states, marking the first major electoral exercise since the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. Polling began promptly at 7 am and is scheduled to conclude at 6 pm.
The constituencies where voting is underway include Rupauli (Bihar), Raiganj, Ranaghat Dakshin, Bagdah, and Maniktala (all in West Bengal), Vikravandi (Tamil Nadu), Amarwara (Madhya Pradesh), Badrinath and Manglaur (both in Uttarakhand), Jalandhar West (Punjab), and Dehra, Hamirpur, and Nalagarh (all in Himachal Pradesh).
Initial reports indicate varying degrees of voter turnout across these constituencies as of 9 am: 9.23% in Rupauli, 10.01% in Raiganj, 11.58% in Ranaghat Dakshin, 10.61% in Bagdah, 9.01% in Maniktala, 12.94% in Vikravandi, 16.90% in Amarwara, 6.50% in Badrinath, 8.58% in Manglaur, 10.30% in Jalandhar West, 15.70% in Dehra, 15.71% in Hamirpur, and 16.48% in Nalagarh.
These bypolls were necessitated due to vacancies caused by the demise of incumbent MLAs and resignations from various political parties. The results of the by-elections are scheduled to be announced on July 13.
In West Bengal, the electoral contest is particularly intense between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The TMC aims to build on its performance in the Lok Sabha polls, especially in constituencies like Maniktala, where the late MLA Sadhan Pandey’s wife, Supti Pandey, is the TMC candidate. The BJP, on the other hand, is fielding candidates who previously won these seats but later switched parties.
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In Himachal Pradesh, bypolls are being held for three assembly constituencies—Dehra, Hamirpur, and Nalagarh. These elections are crucial as they will determine the composition of the state assembly ahead of the next general elections.
The outcome of these bypolls is eagerly anticipated by political observers as it will provide insights into voter sentiment and potential shifts in political dynamics in these states. The results on July 13 will reveal which party gains ground and consolidates its position ahead of future electoral challenges.
