Assembly Elections 2026 Voting LIVE Updates: Several Injured in Bomb Attack, Voter Turnout at 18.76% for West Bengal

Voter turnout at 18.76% for West Bengal, and 17.69% at Tamil Nadu as of 9AM.

Several people have been reported to be injured as unidentified people hurled crude bomb in Nowda, Murshidabad district in West Bengal.

Yet another glitch occurs causing voting to be delayed at Murshidabad's Raghunathganj Girl's School booth due to EVM malfunction; voters express anger over long wait and lack of replacement machine.

A similar incident occurred earlier today at Booth 295 in Thoothukudi’s Duvipuram, in Tamil Nadu due to control unit malfunction.

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth, along with his daughter Soundarya, cast their votes at the Stella Maris College polling station in Chennai as polling continues across the state.

Their arrival drew attention at the booth, with voters and onlookers gathering as they exercised their franchise.

BJP candidate from Asansol Dakshin seat Agnimitra Paul, says, "We want to tell the voters to come out and cast their votes. Vote without fear. During last elections, there were incidents of bomb attacks in different places, and they may try to do the same this time as well. We are informing you in advance. And at 7:00 pm, Mamata Banerjee will start saying that the CRPF did not allow voting in Bengal. We are aware of all this. We have been tolerating this drama for the past 15 years."

PTI

TVK Chief VIjay arrives to Neelankarai to cast vote. The actor-politician is contesting from Perambur and Tiruchirappali East constituencies.

Meanwhile in Chennai, Tamil Nadu CM and DMK candidate from Kolathur, MK Stalin arrives at a polling station to cast his vote. He is accompanied by his family, including his son and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin.

In Salem, AIADMK General Secretary, LoP and AIADMK candidate from Edappadi Assembly Constituency, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) says, "I request all the voters to go to the polling booths and cast their votes for the ongoing elections. I'm 100% confident... In the ongoing elections, everyone should exercise their democratic right..."

In West Bengal Elections, State LoP & BJP Candidate from Nandigram & Bhabanipur, Suvendu Adhikari casts his vote at a polling station in Nandigram West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is contesting against him from the Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency

ANI

In a technical glitch, voting has been delayed at Booth 295 in Thoothukudi’s Duvipuram, in Tamil Nadu due to control unit malfunction.

Meanwhile, PTI reports a disruption in West Bengal Polls as an elephant entered the area near the polling station at Jitusol Primary School in Jhargram.

Voting begins across Tamil Nadu for Assembly election amid tight security; people line up before polling stations.

Several political leaders have already taken to the ballots.

State BJP vice president Khushbu Sundar casts her vote at a polling booth in Mylapore. The constituency sees a contest between BJP's Tamilisai Soundararajan here and DMK's D. Velu.

NTK Chief Senthamilan Seeman casted his vote at a polling station in Neelankarai. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram casts his vote at a polling station in Karaikudi, Sivaganga.

Taking to X, Prime Minister Modi, called upon voters of the two states to exercise their democratic duty to cast votes to form their assembly.

He added on X, "I call upon the youth and women of Tamil Nadu to turn out in large numbers and pave the way for a record turnout."

"The first phase of voting for the West Bengal Assembly elections is today. I call upon all citizens to participate with full enthusiasm in this festival of democracy," he wrote for West Bengal.

Both states conducted a session of mock polling. In Tamil Nadu mock polling was held at the Chennai High School and likewise for West Bengal in Siliguri Girls' High School. The drill was carried out to ensure everything is functioning as required.

Polling booths will open at 7:00 AM in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. This is Phase 1 of the elections for West Bengal. The second Phase is on 29 April.

Counting of votes is scheduled for 4 May.