Datia Assembly Bypoll Vote Counting Underway in Madhya Pradesh Amid Tight Security

Vote counting for the Datia Assembly byelection in Madhya Pradesh commenced under strict security on Monday, August 3, 2026. Official trends after the third round of counting showed Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh maintaining a narrow lead over Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee Ashutosh Tiwari.

What Happened

The counting process began at 8:00 a.m. at Polytechnic College, starting with postal ballots followed by Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). A total of 21 tables were set up at the facility, including 20 designated specifically for EVM vote processing across 15 scheduled rounds.

According to figures from the Election Commission of India website following the completion of the third round, Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh secured 12,432 votes, placing him 33 votes ahead of BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari, who obtained 12,399 votes. Damodar Yadav of the Aazad Samaj Party held third position with 4,874 votes.

The byelection was necessitated after former Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified following a conviction in a bank fraud case. On the eve of the vote counting, the Congress suspended Bharti from its primary membership. This suspension followed allegations by candidate Ghanshyam Singh that Bharti attempted to sabotage his electoral campaign and colluded with the BJP.

Key Highlights

• Counting began at 8 a.m. at Polytechnic College using 21 designated tables across 15 rounds.
• After round three, Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh led by 33 votes against BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari.
• Aazad Samaj Party candidate Damodar Yadav occupied third position with 4,874 votes.
• The byelection recorded a voter turnout of 71.44% on July 30, 2026.
• Congress suspended former MLA Rajendra Bharti following internal allegations of campaign sabotage.
• BJP selected newcomer Ashutosh Tiwari over former State Home Minister Narottam Mishra.

Why This Matters

The contest carries political significance for both major parties in Madhya Pradesh. For the BJP, which holds 164 seats in the 230-member state assembly, the bypoll serves as the initial electoral test for newly appointed state party president Hemant Khandelwal. The party opted to field debutant Ashutosh Tiwari rather than former State Home Minister Narottam Mishra, who had represented Datia for three consecutive terms prior to losing to Bharti in the 2023 polls. The Congress, currently holding 64 assembly seats, faces internal dynamics following the recent suspension of its former legislator ahead of the final tally.

What to Watch Next

Counting officials will complete the remaining 12 rounds of EVM vote processing to determine the final outcome of the Datia Assembly seat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was a byelection required for the Datia Assembly seat?

The bypoll was held because former Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified after being convicted in a bank fraud case.

What was the voter turnout for the Datia bypoll?

According to the Election Commission, the Datia Assembly seat recorded a voter turnout of 71.44% during polling on July 30, 2026.

What is the current party composition of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly?

In the 230-member assembly, the BJP holds 164 seats, the Congress holds 64 seats, and the Bharat Adivasi Party holds one seat.

Source: Reports from Press Trust of India (PTI) and official updates from the Election Commission of India published via The Hindu.