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Turnout stays largely steady in bypolls across six states, J&K

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New Delhi: Voter turnout in Tuesday's eight assembly bypolls across 6 states and the UT of J&K remained broadly similar to previous elections, with most constituencies showing less than a two-percentage-point change. Nuapada in Odisha, Jubilee Hills in Telangana, Budgam and Nagrota in Jammu & Kashmir recorded slightly higher polling, while Tarn Taran in Punjab saw a sharp decline. Dampa in Mizoram registered the highest turnout at 82.34%, and Jubilee Hills the lowest at 48.43%.

Only two seats - Nuapada in Odisha and Jubilee Hills in Telangana - recorded higher voting percentages than the last election.

In Nuapada (Odisha), where a high-stakes contest unfolded between the ruling BJD and the BJP, polling stood at 78.27%, up from 75.44% in 2024. The seat fell vacant after the death of BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakiya. The BJP fielded his son Jay Dholakiya, while the BJD nominated former MLA Snehangini Chhuria.

In Jubilee Hills (Telangana), where the ruling Congress and opposition BRS were locked in a prestige battle, polling was 48.43%, slightly higher than 47.58% in 2023.

In Tarn Taran (Punjab), voter turnout declined sharply to 60.95%, compared to 66% in 2020.

The Anta assembly bypoll in Rajasthan, where the BJP and Congress are in a tight fight, saw around 80% polling, marginally below 81.13% recorded in 2023.

In Ghatsila (Jharkhand), where JMM's Somesh Soren faced BJP's Babulal Soren, polling stood at 74.62%, slightly below 76.3% last year. The seat became vacant after the death of state minister and sitting MLA Ramdas Soren.

In Jammu & Kashmir, the average turnout across the two seats stood at 62.5%. The Budgam constituency recorded 50.02%, a modest rise from 48.53% in October 2024, while Nagrota saw 75.08%, up from 72.74%. The contests featured the National Conference against the BJP and PDP.

In Mizoram's Dampa, polling reached 82.34%, the highest among all constituencies. The seat fell vacant following the death of MNF legislator Lalrintluanga Sailo. The bypoll witnessed a five-cornered contest among the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), MNF, Congress, BJP, and People's Conference.

Counting of votes for all eight bypoll seats will take place on November 14.

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