Polling for the Datia Assembly by-election is progressing peacefully, with 32.53% voter turnout recorded by 11 am on Thursday. Long queues of voters were seen at several polling stations across urban and rural areas as electors turned out in significant numbers to cast their votes.

Voting began at 7 am across 291 polling stations and will continue until 6 pm. A total of 2,20,400 registered voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the bypoll.

Three EVM-Related Technical Issues Resolved Before Polling

Before voting commenced, technical issues were reported at three polling stations during the mandatory mock poll exercise.

According to Collector and District Election Officer Swapnil Wankhede, the issues involved a VVPAT machine at Polling Station 186, a Ballot Unit (BU) at Polling Station 108, and a Control Unit (CU) at Polling Station 290.

All faulty equipment was replaced in the presence of polling agents and under CCTV surveillance before polling officially began, ensuring that voting started on schedule without affecting the election process.

Village Boycott Ends After Administrative Intervention

In Lakhanpur village of Basai area, residents initially boycotted the election, raising the slogan "No Road, No Vote" to demand construction of the village's main approach road.

Following the protest, SDM Ashok Awasthi reached the village and held discussions with residents. After assurances from the administration, nearly 50 villagers agreed to participate in the voting process.

Candidates Express Confidence

After casting his vote, Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh expressed confidence about the party's prospects, claiming that voters would reject what he described as the BJP's "arrogance." He also alleged that a Congress polling agent was not allowed to enter a polling booth in the Basai area.

Meanwhile, BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari visited the revered Pitambara Peeth Temple before polling began, offering prayers for Datia's development, employment opportunities for youth, and a peaceful district. Later, he visited Polling Station No. 158 to interact with BJP polling agents and claimed the party was receiving strong public support.

Security Tightened Across Constituency

To ensure free and fair polling, extensive security arrangements have been deployed across the constituency.

Additional Superintendent of Police Manjit Singh Chawla inspected several polling stations during the day, while Collector Swapnil Wankhede confirmed that polling was proceeding peacefully and systematically throughout the constituency.

Live Updates During Polling

Several developments were reported during the course of voting:

• Former Home Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra's son Sukarn Mishra cast his vote and appealed to voters to support development-oriented governance.

• BJP filed a complaint with the Election Commission over an allegedly fake social media post claiming the removal of the party's district president, accusing unidentified individuals of attempting to mislead voters.

• Rain overnight left muddy conditions outside a polling station in Badonkala village, causing inconvenience to voters.

• Former BSP candidate Lokendra Netaji claimed that an Independent candidate would only divide votes rather than emerge victorious.

• DIG Sunil Kumar Jain inspected polling stations and reviewed security arrangements.

• Elderly and first-time voters shared positive experiences after exercising their franchise, while polling remained peaceful across sensitive locations.

Background of the Bypoll

The Datia Assembly by-election was necessitated after the membership of Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was automatically terminated following his conviction and sentence exceeding two years.

The vacancy was declared under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, in line with the Supreme Court's judgment in the Lily Thomas vs Union of India case and Article 191(1)(e) of the Constitution.

Polling is continuing peacefully, with election officials expecting voter turnout to increase during the afternoon hours.

The nomination process for Assembly by-elections in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Bihar has officially begun after the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued the notification on July 6. The bypolls will be held for Datia (Madhya Pradesh), Manjalpur (Gujarat) and Bankipur (Bihar) Assembly constituencies, with polling scheduled for July 30 if required.

According to the Election Commission, candidates can file their nomination papers until July 13, while scrutiny of nominations will take place on July 14. The last date for withdrawal of candidature has been fixed as July 16. Counting of votes will be conducted on August 3, and the entire election process is scheduled to be completed by August 4.

Bypoll Schedule Announced

The Election Commission has released the following schedule for the three Assembly constituencies:

Notification Issued: July 6, 2026

Last Date for Filing Nominations: July 13, 2026

Scrutiny of Nominations: July 14, 2026

Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidature: July 16, 2026

Polling (if required): July 30, 2026 (7:00 AM to 6:00 PM)

Counting of Votes: August 3, 2026 (from 8:00 AM onwards)

Completion of Election Process: August 4, 2026

Paid Leave for Voters

The Election Commission has directed the concerned state governments to ensure strict compliance with provisions related to paid leave for eligible voters.

Under Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every employee working in any business establishment, industrial unit, commercial organisation or other institution who is eligible to vote in the by-election must be granted paid leave on polling day without any deduction in wages.

The provision also applies to daily wage earners and casual workers. Employers violating these provisions may face penalties under the law.

The Commission further clarified that voters registered in the concerned Assembly constituencies but working outside their constituency in industrial or commercial establishments will also be entitled to paid leave so they can exercise their franchise.

Dry Days Announced

The Election Commission has also instructed the respective state governments to enforce dry days in accordance with Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

No sale, distribution or serving of liquor will be permitted in the polling areas during the 48 hours preceding the close of polling. The restriction will also apply in the event of repoll, if required.

Additionally, August 3, the day of vote counting, will also be observed as a dry day in the concerned constituencies.

The Commission has directed state authorities to ensure strict implementation of these statutory provisions to facilitate free, fair and peaceful elections.