Dharmanagar By-Election: Counting begins amid tight security, BJP takes early lead

The much-anticipated counting of votes for the Dharmanagar Assembly by-election began on Monday morning under strict security arrangements, sparking excitement and tension across North Tripura.

Inside the counting centre at PM Shri Dharmanagar Government Girls’ School, officials opened the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at 8 a.m. under heavy police presence. Counting is being conducted simultaneously on 14 tables, with election staff and representatives of all candidates present to ensure transparency.

Outside, the administration has imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, restricting public gatherings and unauthorized movement within 100 metres of the venue. A three-layer security system has been deployed, including Tripura Police, Tripura State Rifles, fixed pickets, and mobile patrols. DIG Rati Ranjan Debnath, along with SP Avinash Rai and SDPO Jayanta Karmakar, inspected the arrangements and assured that all measures are in place to prevent disturbances.

Early trends have given the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a commanding lead. After the second round of counting, BJP secured 12,669 votes, while the Congress trailed with 3,876 votes and CPI with 2,574 votes. Smaller parties and independents, including SUCI (125 votes), Amra Bangali (136 votes), and an independent candidate (60 votes), remained far behind. The BJP candidate currently holds a margin of 8,793 votes.

The by-election was necessitated by the passing of sitting MLA and Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen in December 2025. Polling was held on April 9 with a turnout of 80.04 percent, reflecting the constituency’s high political engagement.

As counting progresses, the atmosphere outside remains charged, with party workers and supporters anxiously awaiting each round of results. Authorities have warned that any violation of prohibitory orders will invite strict legal action under Section 223 of BNSS.

With results from Dharmanagar to be declared alongside assembly outcomes in five other states, including West Bengal, the constituency is drawing intense political attention, making today’s developments critical for Tripura’s political landscape.