Agartala, April 9: Around 53 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 1 p.m. in the by-election to the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency in North Tripura district, with polling progressing smoothly under tight security arrangements, officials said.
According to election authorities, no untoward incidents have been reported since voting began at 7 a.m. across 55 polling stations in the constituency, which shares inter-state borders with Assam and Mizoram. Voters were seen queuing up early in the morning, reflecting enthusiasm and active participation in the democratic process. Polling will continue uninterrupted until 5 p.m. in the mixed-population constituency.
A total of 46,142 voters, including 23,758 women, are eligible to exercise their franchise in this crucial bypoll. Election officials, in coordination with state police, have put in place elaborate arrangements to ensure a free, fair, and transparent voting process.
In a notable push toward inclusive participation, 11 polling stations are being managed entirely by women personnel. Additionally, two polling stations each are being operated by differently-abled staff and youth teams, highlighting efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in election management.
The Dharmanagar seat has historically been a stronghold of either the Congress or the BJP since 2008, while the CPI(M) last won the constituency in 2003. This time, a multi-cornered contest has intensified the political battle, with six candidates in the fray representing major parties, smaller outfits, and an Independent.
Key contenders include Jahar Chakraborti of the BJP, Chayan Bhattacharjee of the Congress, and Amitabha Datta representing the CPI(M)-led Left Front. Datta, a former MLA, had won the seat in 2003, while Chakraborti currently serves as the BJP’s North Tripura district Vice-President. Candidates from the Amra Bangalee party, SUCI, and an Independent are also contesting.
The bypoll has gained further significance as the Left Front and Congress, which had forged an alliance during the 2023 Assembly elections, are contesting separately this time. Notably, Bhattacharjee had narrowly lost the seat in 2023 to BJP’s Biswa Bandhu Sen by just 956 votes.
The by-election was necessitated following the demise of sitting MLA and Tripura Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen, who passed away on December 26, 2025, at the age of 72 after a prolonged illness. Sen had represented the constituency four times—twice as a Congress leader and twice as a BJP nominee.
The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
