The Nagaon by-election notification has formally been issued, setting the electoral process in motion for the vacant Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency in Assam. The Election Commission of India scheduled polling for October 6, 2026, with counting on October 9. The formal Gazette notification was issued on September 9.
The constituency became vacant after Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned from the Lok Sabha seat following his political move to the Assam Assembly. Consequently, the bye-election has emerged as an important contest between the major political forces in the state.
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Nagaon By-Election Notification Sets Election Schedule
The Nagaon by-election notification formally activated the next stages of the electoral process. According to the Election Commission schedule, candidates can submit nomination papers until September 16, while scrutiny will take place on September 17. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until September 19.
Polling will take place on October 6, followed by counting on October 9. The Election Commission has directed that the entire election process be completed by October 11.
The notification also marks the transition from election preparation to the formal nomination phase. Therefore, prospective candidates and political parties must now comply with the statutory deadlines prescribed by the Commission.
The Nagaon district administration has begun accepting nomination papers through the designated election authorities. Additional Deputy Commissioner Pallavi Gogoi has been appointed Assistant Returning Officer for receiving nominations, according to reports on the local election arrangements.
Nomination Filing Begins Across Nagaon Constituency
Following the Nagaon by-election notification, candidates can file their nomination papers between 11 am and 3 pm until September 16. The administration has also introduced arrangements governing access to the nomination venue.
The Nagaon district administration has limited the number of vehicles and people accompanying candidates during the filing process. Reports said a maximum of three vehicles will be permitted within a 100-metre radius of the District Commissioner’s office, while no more than five people, including the candidate, can enter the designated election office for filing nominations.
Moreover, these measures are intended to ensure orderly nomination proceedings during a period when political activity is expected to increase. Candidates and parties must therefore follow the administrative restrictions while completing the formal process.
The scrutiny stage will follow immediately after the nomination deadline. Election officials will examine the submitted papers on September 17 before the withdrawal period begins.
Candidates will have until September 19 to withdraw their candidature. Consequently, the final list of contestants will become clearer after the withdrawal deadline.
Polling Set for October 6, Counting on October 9
The Nagaon by-election notification confirms October 6 as polling day. Voters in the parliamentary constituency will cast their ballots on that date, while officials will count the votes three days later on October 9.
The Election Commission has also confirmed that Electronic Voting Machines and VVPAT systems will be used at all polling stations for the bye-election. Adequate numbers of machines have been made available as part of the election arrangements.
The electoral roll for Nagaon Parliamentary Constituency received its final publication on February 10, 2026. However, the Commission has allowed continuous updating of electoral rolls within the applicable rules until the nomination deadline.
Meanwhile, election officials have continued reviewing logistical arrangements. The Assam Chief Electoral Officer met representatives of recognised political parties on September 10 as preparations for the October 6 election progressed.
Officials have also been working on EVM and VVPAT randomisation, personnel arrangements and other operational requirements. Therefore, the formal notification represents one part of a broader election-management process already underway.
Political Contest Gains Momentum After Notification
The Nagaon by-election notification has also accelerated political preparations among the parties. The BJP has already announced former IAS officer Debasish Sharma as its candidate for the contest. The party’s Central Election Committee approved his candidature.
Sharma recently took voluntary retirement from government service after serving as Nagaon’s Deputy Commissioner. He subsequently joined the BJP and was selected as the party’s candidate for the Lok Sabha bye-election.
The development has generated political debate because Sharma previously served as a district election official. Congress MP Rakibul Hussain has raised concerns with the Election Commission regarding election-related decisions taken during Sharma’s tenure. These concerns represent a political challenge raised by Congress and do not establish any wrongdoing.
Congress, meanwhile, has begun its candidate-selection process. Congress general secretary and Assam in-charge Bhupesh Baghel said on September 12 that the state leadership was shortlisting potential candidates before sending names to the party’s central leadership for final approval.
Therefore, the final candidate lineup is still developing. The September 19 withdrawal deadline will provide the definitive list of candidates who remain in the race.
Nagaon Bypoll Carries Wider Political Significance
The Nagaon by-election notification comes at a politically significant moment for Assam. The bye-election follows major political changes involving the constituency and will offer parties an opportunity to test their electoral support.
The BJP has acknowledged that Nagaon presents a challenging contest. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said the party does not consider the seat an easy win and noted that the BJP had lost the constituency by a substantial margin in the previous Lok Sabha election.
At the same time, Congress is working to finalise its candidate and coordinate its campaign strategy. The party’s Assam leadership has been holding organisational meetings while preparing for the contest.
The constituency also contains several Assembly segments that will influence the campaign. The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat covers Dhing, Rupohihat, Samaguri, Nagaon-Batadroba and Raha, among other areas within the parliamentary constituency’s electoral structure.
Consequently, political parties are expected to focus on local issues, organisational strength and voter mobilisation as the October 6 polling date approaches.
Model Code and Election Security Measures
The Nagaon by-election notification also brings the formal election framework into sharper focus. With the announcement of the schedule, the Model Code of Conduct came into force in the areas covered by the Nagaon Parliamentary Constituency.
The district administration has subsequently begun removing unauthorised advertisements and campaign materials from public locations. Reports said the drive covered important areas within the constituency following enforcement of the election code.
Security arrangements are also being strengthened. Nagaon police officials have said additional measures will be taken to ensure the peaceful conduct of polling and maintain order throughout the election period.
Furthermore, election authorities must coordinate several operational areas, including polling personnel, EVM and VVPAT management, security deployment and counting arrangements.
The process will therefore move through several clearly defined stages between the notification and declaration of the result. Each stage carries a specific deadline that candidates and officials must follow.
Final Candidate List to Emerge After Withdrawal Deadline
The Nagaon by-election notification establishes September 19 as the final date for withdrawal of candidature. After that deadline, election authorities will publish the final list of candidates contesting the October 6 poll.
The period between September 16 and September 19 will therefore remain important for the political parties. First, officials will scrutinise nomination papers on September 17. Subsequently, candidates whose nominations remain valid can decide whether to continue or withdraw before the final deadline.
Meanwhile, campaign activity is expected to intensify as parties settle their candidate lists. The BJP has already named Debasish Sharma, while Congress is still completing its selection process.
The election will ultimately be decided by voters on October 6. Counting will take place on October 9, when the Election Commission will compile and declare the result.
Therefore, the coming days will be crucial for candidate selection, scrutiny, campaign planning and constituency-level mobilisation.
Conclusion
The Nagaon by-election notification has formally launched the nomination phase for the Assam Lok Sabha constituency, with September 16 set as the last date for nominations, September 17 for scrutiny and September 19 for withdrawal. Polling will take place on October 6, followed by counting on October 9.
The BJP has already selected former IAS officer Debasish Sharma, while Congress continues to shortlist its candidate. At the same time, election officials are strengthening administrative, security and EVM-related preparations across the constituency.
With the formal notification now issued, the Nagaon contest has entered its decisive electoral phase. The final candidate list after September 19 will determine the shape of the campaign before voters cast their ballots on October 6.
FAQs
What is the Nagaon by-election notification?
The Nagaon by-election notification is the formal election notification that begins the statutory process for filling the vacant Nagaon Lok Sabha seat.
When will Nagaon voters cast their votes?
Polling for the Nagaon Lok Sabha bye-election will take place on October 6, 2026.
What is the last date for filing nominations?
Candidates can submit nomination papers until September 16, 2026.
When will the Nagaon by-election votes be counted?
The Election Commission has scheduled counting for October 9, 2026.
Who has the BJP selected as its Nagaon bypoll candidate?
The BJP has selected former IAS officer Debasish Sharma as its candidate for the Nagaon Lok Sabha bye-election.