Voter Turnout Soars in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections

The recent assembly elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have witnessed remarkable voter turnout, with West Bengal at 78.77% and Tamil Nadu at 70%. Polling began early, showcasing high public enthusiasm as voters lined up at polling stations. The elections feature a competitive landscape with multiple alliances vying for power. With the second phase of West Bengal elections approaching and vote counting scheduled for May 4, the political atmosphere remains charged as parties monitor voter trends closely.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 23, 2026, 16:51 IST

High Voter Engagement in Assembly Elections

Kolkata/Chennai: As of 3 PM, the voter turnout for the West Bengal Assembly elections reached an impressive 78.77%, while Tamil Nadu recorded a turnout of 70%, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Polling commenced at 7 AM on Thursday for 152 assembly constituencies across 16 districts in West Bengal, marking the first phase of these significant elections.

Voter enthusiasm was notably high, with long queues observed at various polling stations, indicating strong public interest in the electoral process.

The districts participating in this initial phase include Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, and Malda in North Bengal, along with Murshidabad, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, West Burdwan, and Birbhum in South Bengal.

The second phase of polling for the remaining 142 assembly constituencies in West Bengal is scheduled for April 29.

By 11 AM, the ECI had received a total of 635 complaints regarding the first phase of elections, with 260 complaints submitted directly to the Chief Electoral Officer's office and 375 reported via the C-Vigil app.

In Tamil Nadu, polling for the crucial Assembly elections began at 7 AM across all 234 constituencies, with over 5.73 crore eligible voters set to choose from 4,023 candidates in a highly competitive four-way contest.

The electoral battle prominently features the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), making this one of the most fiercely contested elections in recent memory.

Voters were seen arriving in large numbers at polling booths early in the day, showcasing their eagerness to engage in the democratic process.

Political parties are closely observing the voter turnout, as it is expected to significantly influence the election outcomes.

Vote counting is set for May 4, when the results will reveal the next governing bodies in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.