Voting is underway in for the bypolls in six states and one union territory.
By-elections were held in six states and one union territory today - the polls are expected to be the first referendum since the ban on 500 and 1,000 rupee notes was announced by the BJP-led government at the centre.
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In West Bengal, by-elections were held in the assembly segment of Monteswar, along with the parliamentary seats of Coochbehar and Tamluk. Polls were announced in Coochbehar following the death of Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmaker Renuka Sinha.
While the TMC has announced Partha Pratim Roy as its candidate, the Left Front has fielded Forward Bloc leader Nripendra Nath Roy. 81 per cent people had voted till 5 pm.
In Tamil Nadu, voting was held in the assembly segments of Thiruparankundram, Thanjavur and Aravakurichi in a contest between the ruling AIADMK and DMK. More than 81 per cent of the electorate had voted.
Polling in Thanjavur and Aravakurichi was not conducted during the assembly elections in April-May, due to the alleged distribution of cash and liquor by both the parties. Both the parties have retained their candidates in the two seats.
In Arunachal Pradesh, the assembly segment of Hayuliang was being contested. The by-poll assumes importance as Desingu Pul, wife of former chief minister Kalikho Pul, is contesting on the BJP ticket. Kalikho Pul committed suicide in August under mysterious conditions.
In Madhya Pradesh, the assembly seat of Nepanagar was being contested, along with the parliamentary constituency of Shahdol.
From Nepanagar, Congress fielded Antar Singh Barde, a noted tribal leader. BJP fielded Manju Dadu, daughter of legislator Rajendra Shyamlal Dadu whose death necessitated the by-poll.
In Tripura, the TMC has been campaigning aggressively to pitch a strong challenge to the ruling Left Front in the assembly seats of Barjala and Khowai.
In Assam, the assembly constituency of Baithalangso and the parliamentary seat of Lakhimpur were being contested. The polls in Baithalangso were necessitated as legislator Dr Mansing Rongpi switched from the Congress to the BJP. The Lakhimpur seat was vacated by Sarbananda Sonowal who became the chief minister after assembly elections earlier this year. An estimated 61 per cent electorate had voted.
In Puducherry, the Nellithope assembly seat was holding by-polls today. AIADMK nominated Om Sakhti Sekhar to take on Chief Minister V Narayanasamy who is contesting from the seat. The assembly segment fell vacant after sitting Congress legislator A John Kumar vacated the seat to allow Mr Narayanasamy to contest the election and get elected as member of the assembly. Mr Narayanasamy had not contested the elections in April 2016. He was selected as the chief ministerial candidate after Congress won a majority in the elections.
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