GUWAHATI | The Election Commission on Monday announced that polling for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election in Assam will be held on October 6, with counting scheduled for October 9.

The last date for filing nominations is September 16, while scrutiny will be held on September 17. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until September 19. The election process will be completed by October 11, according to the schedule announced by the Election Commission.

With political parties stepping up preparations for the contest, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the BJP would focus on consolidating its position in Assembly segments where it had performed strongly in the past, while seeking to improve its vote share elsewhere.

“There are 3.5 lakh minority people in the Nagaon constituency. The constituency is divided into two parts. BJP had earlier won across Nagaon, Jagiroad, Morigaon and Raha, whereas Congress and candidates from the opposition alliance won from Samaguri, Dhing, Rupahihat and Lahorighat,” Sarma said.

He said the BJP’s immediate objective would be to retain the four Assembly segments where it had previously held an advantage and increase its support in the remaining four.

“Our main aim will be to retain and secure our victory in the previous four constituencies where we had won earlier. BJP will enter the battlefield with this limited goal with the intention to improve and increase votes in the other four constituencies,” he said.

Sarma, however, cautioned against treating Nagaon as a traditional BJP stronghold. “I will not talk about loss or victory because last time we had lost it with 2.5 lakh votes. Campaigns will be carried out and people will ensure victory of those they prefer,” he said.

“This is not a BJP seat, because traditionally BJP has not won earlier, neither in MLA elections nor in MP polls. However, it doesn’t mean that losing twice will ensure loss for the third time again,” the chief minister added.

BJP begins preparations

Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia said the party had already begun preparations across the constituency.

“Joined a crucial strategy meeting for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-poll. We chalked out plans to further energize BJP Assam across eight Assembly segments, 25 Mandals and 2,306 booths with strong grassroots connect,” Saikia said in a social media post.

The bypoll preparations are also taking place against the backdrop of controversy surrounding former Nagaon District Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Devasish Sharma.

Sharma is reportedly set to join the BJP, triggering speculation about a possible candidature in the by-election. The Election Commission has registered a complaint against him following allegations of administrative irregularities and questions surrounding his reported political plans. The allegations remain subject to the relevant inquiry.

The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after former MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned and joined the BJP ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.

The October 6 bypoll is expected to see a high-stakes contest as parties seek to consolidate their positions across the constituency’s eight Assembly segments.