Bankipur, Datia election results LIVE: Vote counting begins for key by-elections

Vote counting is underway for by-elections in three Indian assembly constituencies: Bankipur in Bihar, Datia in Madhya Pradesh, and Manjalpur in Gujarat. The results are expected today after counting began at 8 a.m.

The Bankipur by-election is a key electoral test for Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, who is making his debut in the contest. The seat became vacant after former MLA Nitin Nabin resigned. The race is a three-cornered fight involving the BJP, Jan Suraaj Party, and the RJD. Kishor is challenging BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha.

In Madhya Pradesh, the Datia by-election was triggered after a Delhi court sentenced Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti to three years in prison for fraud in April. Bharti had previously defeated former state home minister Narottam Mishra in the 2023 assembly elections. The BJP has nominated Ashutosh Tiwari, while the Congress is fielding Ghanshyam Singh. The constituency recorded a 71.44 percent turnout on July 30.

The Manjalpur by-election in Gujarat was necessitated by the death of BJP MLA Yogesh Patel. The BJP has fielded Satish Govindbhai Patel, a former municipal councilor, against Gujarat Congress vice president Bhikhabhai Rabari. The seat saw a voter turnout of 37.5 percent. In the 2022 elections, Yogesh Patel won with over 120,000 votes.