What are the by-elections on 6 October and which seats are voting?
For the October 2026 by-elections, the Election Commission of India has scheduled polling on 6 October across one Lok Sabha seat and five Assembly seats, with counting on 9 October. The parliamentary by-poll is in Assam’s Nagaon constituency, following a vacancy created by prior resignation. The Assembly seats are Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal, Madurantakam (SC) and Dharapuram (SC) in Tamil Nadu, and Thattanchavady in Puducherry. The Tamil Nadu vacancies followed the resignations of former AIADMK legislators Maragatham Kumaravel and P. Sathyabama, who subsequently joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, while the Puducherry vacancy followed Chief Minister N. Rangasamy’s resignation from Thattanchavady after he retained the Mangalam seat. The Model Code of Conduct applies in the relevant electoral areas.
What restrictions apply during the by-election period?
A 48-hour campaign silence period applies immediately before polling closes on 6 October, prohibiting public meetings, rallies and election broadcasts, and exit poll results cannot be broadcast or published from the start of polling until the statutory window closes. Alcohol sales, serving and distribution are banned in the respective constituencies for the 48 hours before polling and on counting day, 9 October. Polling day is a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, closing designated government offices, financial institutions and educational establishments. Sensitive international and inter-state boundaries in West Bengal and Assam are likely to be under heightened surveillance, and intensive vehicle checking is in place on transit routes to curb the unauthorised transport of cash, liquor, freebies, narcotics and unlicensed weapons. Travellers and commercial operators should carry valid identification and documentation for high-value items or cash, and carrying more than INR 50,000 in cash without supporting documents is restricted in Tamil Nadu’s two constituencies. Parties must obtain prior clearances for rallies and campaign offices through digital channels such as the Suvidha platform, and loudspeakers and mobile campaign vehicles are strictly regulated.
What is the security situation in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry?
In Assam’s Nagaon, Nagaon Police and Central Armed Police Forces are conducting joint foot patrols and area domination marches; the Samaguri segment is the main tension point after a political convoy involving Congress leaders faced stone-pelting during a black-flag protest. In West Bengal, district police and Central Armed Police Forces are carrying out route checks and area domination marches in Rejinagar (Murshidabad) and Nandigram (Purba Medinipur), where intense polarisation and high-stakes local rivalries keep threat levels elevated. In Tamil Nadu, approximately 3,000 police personnel are assigned across both constituencies, Madurantakam has 52 sensitive and 37 very sensitive booths, flying squads there were increased from 6 to 12, and Tiruppur district police set up 34 temporary checkposts in Dharapuram. In Puducherry, approximately 450 or more police personnel are deployed, and two polling stations have been identified as sensitive.
What are the business continuity risks?
Before polling, rallies and roadshows can cause road closures and congestion, delaying goods movement and last-mile deliveries, while authorities may enforce Section 163 restrictions around nomination centres and polling stations and, if required, cautionary curfews or internet suspensions. Security checks at airports and at railway and bus stations may create long queues. On polling day, offices near polling stations may face traffic and access disruption, businesses in sensitive areas may need additional security, and precautionary mobile or internet slowdowns could affect online operations and customer interactions. After counting on 9 October, victory rallies and opposition demonstrations are likely near party headquarters, with traffic restrictions, diversions and congestion, a risk of deliberate damage or theft affecting supply chains, and possible market fluctuations that can affect investor confidence.
What should businesses and employees do to prepare?
Businesses should plan alternate routes and allow additional travel time around polling stations and campaign venues, maintain flexible staffing, remote-working or shift arrangements for employees travelling through politically sensitive constituencies on polling day, and identify alternative routes and delivery windows for shipments near polling stations and counting centres. Situational awareness should be heightened from 6 to 9 October, with employees avoiding polling stations, counting centres, party offices and political gatherings unless operationally necessary, and essential personnel carrying valid identification and authorisation documents. Employers should set clear movement protocols with designated safe routes, approved transport and escalation procedures, and customer-facing sites should consider adjusting hours or staffing if disruption is reported nearby. After counting, keep travel and delivery arrangements flexible for several days and confirm that normal access has been restored before reverting to routine operations.
Frequently asked questions
When are polling and counting for the six by-election seats?
Polling is on 6 October 2026 in all six constituencies and counting is scheduled for 9 October, with a 48-hour campaign silence before polling closes.
Is alcohol banned during the by-elections?
Yes. Complete bans on the sale, serving and distribution of alcohol apply in the respective constituencies for the 48 hours leading up to polling and on counting day, 9 October.
What are the emergency and election helpline numbers for the by-election states?
Nationwide: Emergency 112, Police 100, Fire 101, Ambulance 108, Women Helpline 1091, Senior Citizen Helpline 14567, Tourist Helpline 1363. Voter helpline: 1950. Nagaon control room: 03672-238000 and 1077. Verify election information through the ECI’s official social media handles.
Download the full advisory now
datasurfr’s Special Advisory on the October 2026 by-elections carries the full candidate lists for all six constituencies, constituency-level security assessments, pre-election violence indicators and a detailed recommendations and contacts directory. Download the full advisory now to brief your travel and continuity teams.
Filed under: India-South AsiaThreat Intelligence Advisories
