Polling in Tamil Nadu’s Assembly elections reached a record 85.15% voter turnout, with Karur registering the highest at 92.63% and Chennai reporting 83.74%. The contest is led by the DMK-backed Secular Progressive Alliance against the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance, as Chief Minister M.K. Stalin seeks to retain power amid intense competition.
West Bengal’s Phase 1 recorded a striking 92.86% voter turnout across 16 districts, covering North Bengal, parts of South Bengal, and Jangalmahal areas. The Election Commission “saluted” voters for participating in large numbers. Amid the high turnout, Congress alleged an attack on its party agent by TMC workers in Berhampore, escalating political claims around the voting day.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
Voting in Phase 1 of the West Bengal and Tamil Nadu assembly elections concluded Thursday with overwhelming turnout in both states. West Bengal recorded a historic 92.68% turnout by 10 pm, intensifying the battle between BJP and ruling TMC, which is aiming for a fourth consecutive term. Tamil Nadu also voted in this phase as DMK seeks its second term.
Tamil Nadu is voting in its Assembly elections with over 5.73 crore eligible voters, including a record 14.6 lakh first time voters. Women are expected to form the majority again, continuing a pattern since 2016. With heavy security and logistics for all 234 seats, the focus is whether turnout can beat the 2011 peak.
Voter turnout is trickling in as polling begins for the 2026 assembly elections. West Bengal logged 18.8% turnout by 9:30 am, while Tamil Nadu stood at 17.7%. West Bengal is voting across 152 constituencies in 16 districts, whereas Tamil Nadu is in a single phase. Past elections saw consistently high participation, including over 82% in 2021 for Bengal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal to vote in the 2026 Assembly elections, calling participation a sacred democratic duty. He urged young people and women to show up in large numbers. Polling began on the same day in both states, with vote counting scheduled for May 4.
Never miss a story
Set alerts for the topics and sources you care about. Download Beige for free.
West Bengal’s Assembly election saw a historic voter turnout of 92.72%, the highest in 15 years. While sporadic unrest including stone-throwing was reported, polling continued with resilience. The Election Commission of India ramped up security across key constituencies, where high-profile contests drew intense attention from voters statewide.
West Bengal’s Assembly elections are drawing heavy voter participation in the early hours, outpacing the turnout pace seen in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Voting is underway across multiple regions, including high-stakes contests involving prominent leaders. Still, reports of violence and technical glitches are emerging. The campaign debate is increasingly centered on electoral roll revisions, unemployment, and corruption claims tied to jobs.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah exuded confidence that the BJP could win over 110 seats in the first phase of West Bengal’s Assembly elections. He pointed to record-like voter participation, arguing the enthusiastic turnout reflects a shift on the ground. Shah’s remarks signal the party’s strategy to convert early momentum into a decisive electoral push across constituencies.
In Coimbatore ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, students from Government Arts College unveiled a voice-enabled robot that greets voters and distributes sweets outside polling stations. The initiative, led by student Vimal Vijayan, aims to reduce apathy and boost participation, with local reports citing a bid for a 100% turnout through engaging, friendly voter outreach.
Reading on mobile?
Open Beige in the app for a smoother experience — free on iOS and Android.
Tamil Nadu’s assembly elections recorded an 85% voter turnout, up 9% from the 2011 high of 78%. Officials say the sharp rise reflects stronger political engagement among voters and a desire to shape governance. The polls also featured a high-stakes contest between major political coalitions and a rising new contender.
West Bengal and Tamil Nadu logged their highest-ever voter participation in Phase 1 of polling, according to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. West Bengal recorded 91.78% turnout, while Tamil Nadu followed with 84.69%. The jump signals a strong, widespread push for democratic participation across both states.
Tamil Nadu’s 2026 Assembly elections saw an unusually high voter turnout of 84.69 percent, drawing fresh political interpretation. AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan said the strong participation reflects widespread anti-incumbent sentiment against the DMK government. He also praised the Election Commission for enabling a smooth voting process, even as debates over the turnout’s meaning intensify.
Voting has started for Maharashtra’s bypolls in Baramati and Rahuri, with early turnout alarmingly low. In Baramati, Sunetra Pawar is in the fray, while Rahuri also faces a by-election contest. Polling runs until evening, with election officials arranging voters and results expected later. The low morning participation is drawing attention.
Follow your favourite sources
Track sources, tags and categories — all in the Beige app.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.