Election – Dharmanagar Bypoll Witnesses Strong Voter Turnout Under Tight Security
Election – Voting for the by-election in the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency of North Tripura began on Thursday morning, with authorities reporting a smooth start under extensive security arrangements. From the early hours, voters gathered at polling stations, forming orderly queues to exercise their democratic rights.
High Voter Participation Across Polling Stations
Polling commenced at 7 a.m. and is scheduled to continue until 5 p.m. without interruption. Across the 55 polling stations in the constituency, a noticeable turnout was seen, reflecting active participation from residents of the region. According to election officials, the constituency has 46,142 registered voters, including 23,758 women, all eligible to decide the outcome of the by-election.
Officials noted that the peaceful atmosphere and early enthusiasm among voters indicated a strong engagement with the electoral process. Special arrangements were made to ensure convenience and accessibility for all sections of voters.
Inclusive Polling Arrangements Highlight Diversity
In a notable step toward inclusive elections, authorities designated 11 polling stations to be managed entirely by women staff. Additionally, two polling stations are operated by differently-abled personnel, while another two are being handled by youth teams. These initiatives reflect a broader effort to promote participation from diverse groups within the electoral system.
Security personnel, along with election officials, have been deployed extensively to maintain order and ensure transparency. Measures have been put in place to prevent any disruption, ensuring that the polling process remains fair and impartial throughout the day.
Political Significance of the Constituency
The Dharmanagar Assembly constituency, located near the borders of Assam and Mizoram, has historically been politically significant. Since 2008, the seat has alternated between the Congress and the BJP, while the CPI(M) last secured a victory here in 2003.
This by-election is being closely watched due to the competitive nature of the contest, with multiple parties fielding candidates and aiming to strengthen their foothold in the region.
Key Candidates and Multi-Cornered Contest
The by-election features six candidates, representing major political parties as well as smaller groups and an Independent contender. Among the prominent names are Jahar Chakraborti from the ruling BJP, Chayan Bhattacharjee from the Congress, and Amitabha Datta representing the CPI(M)-led Left Front.
Amitabha Datta, a former MLA, had previously won this seat in 2003. Jahar Chakraborti, currently serving as the BJP’s North Tripura district Vice-President, is seen as a key contender. Other candidates from the Amra Bangalee party, SUCI, and an Independent participant have further added to the competitive nature of the race.
Changing Political Equations Add Complexity
Unlike the 2023 Tripura Assembly elections, where the Congress and Left Front had formed an alliance, the two parties are contesting separately in this by-election. This shift has introduced a new dynamic to the electoral battle.
In the previous election, Congress candidate Chayan Bhattacharjee, backed by Left parties, lost narrowly to BJP’s Biswa Bandhu Sen by just 956 votes. The close margin has made this by-election particularly significant for all major contenders.
Reason Behind the By-Election
The by-election was necessitated following the death of sitting MLA and Tripura Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen. He passed away on December 26, 2025, at the age of 72 after a prolonged illness.
Sen had a long political career, winning the Dharmanagar seat four times—initially as a Congress candidate in 2008 and 2013, and later as a BJP nominee in 2018 and 2023. His passing created a vacancy that led to the current electoral process.
Counting Date and Campaign Overview
The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. The election campaign, which lasted nearly a month, concluded on Tuesday afternoon, with all parties making final efforts to reach voters before polling day.
As voting continues, authorities remain focused on ensuring a smooth and secure process, while political observers await the outcome of what has become a closely contested by-election in Tripura.