Assembly Elections 2026 Voting: Highest Voter Turnout In Tamil Nadu, West Bengal Since Independence, Says CEC

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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..."

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Voting in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections was hit by multiple EVM malfunctions across districts delaying polling at several booths. In Murshidabad, voting was halted at a Beldanga booth and delayed in Samsherganj and Kandi due to technical snags. Similar glitches were reported in Nandigram (Purba Medinipur), Cooch Behar, Malda’s Habibpur, and Siliguri, with polling either stalled or starting late. In Cooch Behar, voting was suspended for nearly an hour before resuming, while in Jhargram, panic briefly gripped voters after an elephant strayed near a polling station.

The polling day followed overnight violence in parts of the state, raising concerns despite heavy security deployment. In Murshidabad’s Naoda, crude bombs were allegedly hurled near a polling booth, injuring a woman, while TMC candidate Sahina Mumtaz Khan escaped unhurt. TMC MP Abu Taher Khan blamed a rival outfit for the attack. Tension was also reported from Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar, an area with a history of poll violence. Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal said strict action would follow, adding that a report on the incidents has been sought.

With PTI inputs

In violence-hit Murshidabad, Humayun Kabir reached the site of a crude bomb explosion that injured several people earlier in the day. His visit triggered protests by TMC workers, who raised slogans and clashed with police at the spot.

Voting is underway across all 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu on Thursday, with polling scheduled from 7 am to 6 pm to decide the fate of 4,023 candidates. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin is seeking a second consecutive term, while Edappadi K. Palaniswami leads the opposition challenge. Actor-turned-politician Vijay is making his electoral debut, even as several Kollywood stars—including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ajith Kumar, and Dhanush—arrived early at polling booths to cast their votes, with visuals quickly going viral on social media. Results will be declared on May 4.

BJP candidate from Asansol Dakshin, Agnimitra Paul, alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government was behind the crude bomb incident reported in Nowda, Murshidabad district. “I had said this in the morning itself. The Mamata Banerjee government will do such things—hurl bombs, enforce load shedding, and try to damage cameras. This is the mechanism of TMC. They think they can stop voters from turning out,” she said, urging the Election Commission to take note of the situation.

In Murshidabad’s Naoda constituency, Aam Janata Unnayan Party chief Humayun Kabir on Thursday accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of bribing several of his party’s candidates to keep them out of the fray. Kabir, who voted early in the day, faced protests from TMC supporters during a visit to a polling booth in Shibnagar village, where demonstrators surrounded his vehicle, raised “go back” slogans, and branded him a “BJP agent,” triggering tension in the area, PTI reported.

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh, reacting to a crude bomb being hurled in Murshidabad, said, “Murshidabad is such a prominent district. There are irregularities in every matter. Whatever happens in the country, it happens there.”

Referring to the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the Waqf Bill, he added, “there were riots and unrest everywhere. Houses were burned, our office and temple were burned.” He also alleged infiltration from Bangladesh, saying people come for ID cards and then create unrest in the country, adding that “when change happens, everything will transform.”

-PTI

According to PTI, AIPTMMK leader V. K. Sasikala casted her vote during the at Stella Maris College in Chennai.

AIADMK leader S. P. Velumani, after casting his vote in Coimbatore during the Tamil Nadu polls, alleged that police and officials are not taking proper action. He said, “Police and officials not taking proper action, I urge them to prevent fraudulent activities.”

Srinidi Rangarajan, wife of Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, said she cast her vote, calling it “a celebration” and “a victory of democracy,” adding that she is happy to see people turning out to vote, reported PTI.

According to PTI, Kanimozhi Senior DMK leader and party MP Kanimozhi on Thursday expressed their confidence on how her party would return to power in the state, as polling for elections to 234 assembly segments was on.

A clash erupted between workers of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Nowda, Murshidabad, during the West Bengal polls, reported PTI.

Voters in Ramanathapuram arrived at polling stations amid rainfall during the Tamil Nadu polls.

West Bengal recorded 41.11 per cent voter turnout till 11 am in the first phase of polls, according to the Election Commission. Paschim Medinipur reported the highest turnout at 44.69 per cent, reported PTI.

According to PTI, RJD leader Manoj Jha, commenting on the Tamil Nadu and West Bengal assembly elections, said there is “a lot of excitement,” though it should have been higher, especially in West Bengal. He added that “when you disenfranchise millions of voters right before the elections, then it is a worrying situation,” and said, “let’s see what happens.”

TMC candidate Shahina Mumtaz Khan, responding to an alleged blast in Nowda, Murshidabad, said, “Really bad incident, I was there; don't know yet who was behind it.”

-PTI

Actor Arjun Sarja cast his vote at Saint Francis Xavier School during the Tamil Nadu assembly election 2026, according to PTI.

Women voters in Thoothukudi expressed excitement about casting their votes at pink booths during polling, PTI reported.

According to PTI, brisk voting was reported at a polling booth set up at Karnataka Sangha School in Chennai during the Tamil Nadu polls.

DMK MP Kanimozhi NVN Somu said the Centre could have provided more trains to help people travel for voting, adding that polling is going on smoothly during the Tamil Nadu polls, reported PTI.

A TMC camp office was allegedly vandalised near booths 200 and 201 in Bangrua village of Harishchandrapur. Police detained one person as tension prevailed in the area, PTI reported.

Tamil Nadu minister I. Periyasamy participated in the polling process in Dindigul, reported PTI.

According to PTI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public meeting during the West Bengal election, saying, “I extend my wishes to all my brothers and sisters of Bengal.”

Addressing a public meeting in Krishnanagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “I have heard that even ‘jhal muri’ has shaken some people. It was I who ate ‘jhal muri’, but TMC felt the ‘jhal’.” (Jhalmuri maine khaayi, Jhaal TMC ko lag gayi)

DMK leader T. K. S. Elangovan said officials are monitoring everything and that voters need their cards and required documents, including booth slips, to vote, adding that without these, no one can vote. He said, “Since they are likely to lose, they are trying to create confusion,” and added that only genuine voters are going to the polls, with six or seven agents at each booth observing closely. He said if a bogus voter attempts to vote, they can be stopped.

-PTI

An 85-year-old man, Chandharan, arrived on a wheelchair to cast his vote at St Francis Xavier's Middle School in Chennai during the Tamil Nadu polls.

-PTI

PMK candidate Sowmiya Anbumani cast her vote in Dharmapuri during the Tamil Nadu polls, and complained of delays in the voting process at some booths due to the “late set up of EVMs”.

BJP candidate from Kumarganj, Subhendu Sarkar, alleged that polling agents in 8–10 polling stations were forcibly removed and said he personally intervened to ensure they were allowed back inside. He said that when he visited Booth No. 24 to inspect the situation, his team and he were attacked, alleging an attempt to create an atmosphere of intimidation and fear.

He further said central forces were present inside the polling station, but he arrived with only his bodyguard and no other security. He also claimed that Mamata Banerjee has “lost the election” and that the Trinamool Congress is “losing all four seats” in the region, adding that the attack was carried out out of “desperation and fear.”

-ANI

An 85-year-old woman stood in queue to cast her vote at a polling booth in Jalpaiguri during the West Bengal polls, PTI reported.

Despite maximum temperatures rising 2–4°C above normal in many parts this April, people continued to turn out steadily to cast their votes in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on Thursday. The determination of voters remained undeterred as they trooped in to polling stations, reflecting a steady commitment to the democratic process despite the heat conditions.

-PTI

Rear window of BJP leader Agnimitra Paul’s car was shattered in an alleged stone attack during the West Bengal election. She said, “A stone was pelted at my running car as we were coming out of a polling booth in Rahmat Nagar in Asansol. It is very clear who is behind this. This is an effort to influence the election. We have filed a complaint against this.”

-PTI

Former TMC leader Santanu Sen, reacting to the Murshidabad violence during the West Bengal polls 2026, said an Election Commission formed under Narendra Modi and Amit Shah is conducting the election in an unprecedented manner.

He said that from the Chief Secretary and DGP to 141 police ICs, nearly 73–74 returning officers, around 13 DMs, and nearly 400 officials have been replaced. He added that around 2.4 lakh central forces are deployed and “marching on the roads as if it has become a battleground,” stating that the administration is no longer under Mamata Banerjee’s control. He further said that responsibility for any incidents lies with the Election Commission of India and Mr. Gyanesh Kumar.

-PTI

Villagers from Ponnai staged a protest by tying black flags in Katpadi of Vellore over the re-allocation of a polling booth and alleged poor road facilities during the Tamil Nadu polls.

-PTI

In a display of democratic participation, a three-generation family of 14 arrived together at Stella Maris College on Thursday to cast their votes in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, reported PTI.

TVK General Secretary N. Anand said many voters are unable to reach their hometowns due to heavy traffic, and therefore the party is seeking an extension of voting time by two hours. He said this comes after party chief Vijay urged the Election Commission to extend voting hours till 8 PM during the Tamil Nadu polls, according to PTI.

During the West Bengal polls, a poll observer stopped TMC MLA and Alipurduar candidate Suman Kanjilal from entering a polling booth with his supporters and asked him to go in alone.

BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul’s car was pelted with stones and its rear windowpanes were shattered near Rahmat Nagar in her Asansol Dakshin Assembly constituency on Thursday (April 23, 2026), police said.

“Stones were thrown at my moving car as I was exiting a polling booth premises. The rear window was shattered. It is very clear who is behind this. This is an attempt to influence the election,” she told reporters.

The incumbent MLA said a complaint has been lodged with the poll authorities. Police said they were probing the incident and security has been tightened in the area.

Source: PTI

Polling in the Poompuhar Assembly constituency of Mayiladuthurai district was briefly disrupted after a head constable deployed on election duty was stabbed by a man inside a polling booth.

The injured officer, Vignesh, who is attached to the Kuthalam police station, was providing security at a polling booth located in Jamaliya Middle School in Poraiyar when a man suddenly attacked him with a small knife, causing multiple stab wounds to his neck and both hands.

As of 3 p.m., Coimbatore district witnessed steady voter turnout across its constituencies, according to election officials.

Sulur recorded the highest polling at 74.47%, closely followed by Kavundampalayam with 73.92%. Polling in Kinathukadavu stood at 73.00%, while Pollachi registered 73.04%. Thondamuthur reported a turnout of 72.50%.

Mettuppalayam saw 70.26% voting, and Valparai recorded 70.65%. Meanwhile, Singanallur logged 68.93% turnout and Coimbatore South 68.69%, with Coimbatore North reporting the lowest at 64.06%.

With West Bengal leading the charts at an impressive 78.77% turnout rate, significantly outpacing Tamil Nadu, which recorded a 70.00% turnout, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (April 23, 2026) said that May 4, when votes will be counted, would mark the “expiry” of the “TMC’s 15-year-old syndicate system and maha jungle raj” in West Bengal.

Addressing a gathering at the South 24 Pargana district’s Kakdwip stadium under the Mathurapur assembly constituency, he claimed that the massive poll turnout in the state indicated that the TMC’s regime of ‘bhoy’ (fear) was “surely getting defeated” by the ‘bharosa’ (trust) the BJP has promised.

“There’s not one sector in Bengal where work gets done without bribes, where TMC syndicates and their middlemen don’t take cut money. That 15-year-old syndicate system and the ‘maha jungle raj’ of TMC have reached their expiry date, which is May 4,” Modi said.

Source: PTI

Residents of Muthalaimedu Thittu village in Kollidam have announced an election boycott, citing unfulfilled basic amenities, including lack of proper roads and drinking water.

Villagers staged a protest by displaying black flags and alleged that no officials had held talks with them to address their grievances

TVK chief Vijay requested the Election Commission to extend polling by two hours till 8 PM for the Assembly elections being held across 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, he also urged for deployment of emergency public transport services to facilitate a large number of people to cast their votes.

"There are reports from polling stations of voters waiting in long queues to cast their votes, but the polling process is slow. Such delays would discourage and may affect voter turnout. There should be designated supervisory officers to visit polling booths regularly and ensure that the voting process is conducted efficiently without unnecessary delays," he said.

Meanwhile, TVK leaders 'Bussy' N Anand and Aadhav Arjuna accused the state administration and transport department of "orchestrating a systemic failure" by denying essential bus services to voters during the elections.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said the Election Commission conducted a successful and peaceful first phase of polling, adding that turnout was around 90 per cent according to his assessment. He claimed the BJP would win 125 seats in the first phase. 

Adhikari further stated that Muslim votes had already consolidated, and after the results, "85 per cent of Hindus will be seen supporting the BJP." He also claimed that a section of Left voters had shifted towards the BJP.

Clashes broke out between locals and security personnel in Kharisaol area in West Bengal’s Birbhum district on Thursday (April 23, 2026) after allegations of EVM malfunctioning triggered tension during the final hours of polling in the first phase of the State assembly elections.

The trouble began at a polling booth under the Dubrajpur Assembly constituency, where electors alleged that votes cast in favour of the TMC were being registered for the BJP, they said.

According to the locals, voting was halted for nearly 30 minutes following complaints of EVM glitches, and protests erupted outside the booth.

The situation escalated after an argument broke out between polling officials and agitated voters, with a section of locals gathering outside the booth and staging a demonstration. Security personnel, including central forces, intervened to disperse the crowd, following which clashes erupted.

West Bengal Election 2026 LIVE: Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that she is not interested in any post but only wants end of BJP government at Centre.

Polling ends across 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu; those waiting in queues allowed to vote, PTI reported.

The state surpassed its highest Assembly polls turnout when over 80 percent of the 5.73 crore voters cast their vote for the elections to 234 constituencies across the state. Till 5 pm, the state recorded 82.24 percent voting, according to PTI.

Polling ends in 152 assembly constituencies in West Bengal, those waiting in queues will be allowed to vote.

West Bengal's Raghunathganj assembly constituency registers highest voter turnout at 95.64% till 5 pm.

Voting ended in the 152 assembly constituencies in West Bengal with the state recording a total voter turnout of 89.93 percent till 5 pm.

EVMs are being sealed by polling officials as the voting for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election 2026 concludes.

Tamil Nadu surpassed its highest assembly polls turnout on Thursday, when over 84 per cent of the 5.73 crore voters cast their vote for the elections to 234 constituencies across the state.

Till 6 pm, the state recorded 84.29 per cent voting, according to Election Commission of India (EC) figures.

The state recorded its highest--78.29 per cent, in the 2011 polls that the AIADMK swept.

- PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday led a colourful road show at Madhyamgram in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, and asserted that the TMC is on its way out.

Madhyamgram will go to polls on the second phase of the election on April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4. Voting was held in 152 assembly seats in the first phase of polling on Thursday.

In a press conference, West Bengal CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal says the voting percentage would be definitely higher than 90 pc as the final figure is yet to come.

He says, "First phase of polling concluded today, there were 152 assembly seats, 45,000 booths... Few places voting is going on, at some, paper work is being done, EVMs are getting sealed, they will be sent to the strong room, the polling percentage is definitely higher than 90 pc, because at 5 pm, it was 89.5 pc... Final figure will come."

Earlier, CEC Gyanesh Kumar said: “Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu since Independence - ECI salutes each voter of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.”

"West Bengal records 91.78 percent voting so far in phase 1 of assembly polls, highest-ever percentage since Independence." CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

TMC candidate from Siliguri Assembly Constituency, Gautam Deb alleged that the Election Commission and the BJP are “conspiring” together.

"A good number of voters have been sent to other districts. They are mostly central government employees, and they are deprived of their voting rights... I made a complaint to the election authority, and the BJP tried to disturb the election with the support of the central paramilitary force... I am very much overwhelmed with the active and spontaneous support of Siliguri people..." he said.