The district administration in Patna has finalized all arrangements for the upcoming 2026 by-election in the 182-Bankipur Assembly constituency. The polling is set to take place with heightened security and monitoring to ensure a smooth and fair election process.
Patna District Magistrate-cum-Returning Officer Kundan Kumar and Senior Superintendent of Police Karthikeya Sharma have confirmed the completion of logistical and security preparations for the election. The Bankipur constituency boasts a total of 3,79,616 registered voters, comprising 2,00,060 male voters, 1,79,533 female voters, and 23 third-gender voters.
A total of 422 polling stations have been established for the by-election, with 247 located in government buildings, 175 in private buildings, and 29 mobile polling stations set up as needed. Following the nomination process, 40 candidates submitted their papers, out of which 26 were deemed valid after scrutiny, leaving 25 candidates in the electoral race.
To ensure transparency, various measures have been implemented, including webcasting at polling stations, mobile monitoring for officials, and the acceptance of 12 alternative photo identity documents for voter identification purposes. Additionally, authorities have confiscated illegal firearms, live cartridges, unaccounted cash, liquor, and other objectionable materials during enforcement operations.
Vote counting for the by-election will take place at Kala Bhavan, AN College, Patna. The by-poll was necessitated by the resignation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin, the previous Bankipur MLA elected in the 2025 Bihar Assembly election. The upcoming contest is anticipated to be a three-way battle involving candidates from the BJP, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Jan Suraaj parties.
