Datia Assembly By-Election 2026: Voting Underway Amid Tight Security in Madhya Pradesh, Long Queues at Several Booths (Videos)
Voting for the Datia Assembly by-election in Madhya Pradesh began at the scheduled time of 7 a.m. on Thursday, with elaborate security arrangements in place across the constituency. Election officials reported a peaceful start to polling, with voters lining up outside several polling stations before voting commenced.
Datia, July 30: Voting for the Datia Assembly bypoll in Madhya Pradesh commenced at the scheduled time of 7 a.m. on Thursday amid elaborate security arrangements, with voters queuing up outside several polling stations even before polling began. Polling will continue till 6 p.m., officials said. The bypoll is witnessing a direct contest between BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari and Congress nominee Ghanshyam Singh, who represented the Datia Assembly seat twice in the past.
According to election officials, 2,20,400 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise at 291 polling stations set up across the constituency. Long queues were seen at several polling booths since early morning, reflecting enthusiasm among voters. Assembly By-Elections 2026: Voting Begins for Bypolls in Bankipur, Datia and Manjalpur Amid Tight Security (Videos).
Voting Underway for Datia Bypoll in MP
The India Meteorological Department has issued a rain alert for the region, and voters have been advised to carry umbrellas or raincoats while coming to polling stations. A total of 1,422 security personnel from 16 companies, including the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), have been deployed to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling.
Security forces have been stationed at sensitive polling stations, while sector mobile teams are carrying out continuous patrolling across the constituency. Datia Collector and District Election Officer Swapnil Wankhede said the polling process was being monitored continuously through webcasting from the control room at the Collectorate. Datia Bypoll 2026: Denied Ticket by BJP, Narottam Mishra Breaks Down on Stage During Ashutosh Tiwari’s Nomination Rally (Watch).
According to the ECI, voters who do not possess their Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) can still cast their votes by producing any of the 13 alternative photo identity documents approved by the Election Commission, including Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence, passport, bank or post office passbook with photograph, pension documents, health insurance smart card, MGNREGA job card and the Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID).
The bypoll is being held under the supervision of the Election Commission amid multi-layered security arrangements to ensure peaceful voting. Counting of votes will be taken up as per the schedule, which is on August 3, as announced by the poll panel.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2026 09:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).