Bengal Voter Turnout Crosses 40% by 11 AM; TN Records 37.56%

Kolkata/Chennai: Voter enthusiasm remains high as the high-stakes Assembly elections progress in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. According to the latest data from the Election Commission of India (ECI), West Bengal recorded a turnout of 41.11% by 11 a.m. on Thursday, while Tamil Nadu followed with 37.56%.

West Bengal: Strong Participation in Phase One

The first phase of the West Bengal Assembly polls covers 152 constituencies across 16 districts. Long queues have defined the morning hours, signaling significant public engagement in both North and South Bengal.

The districts currently at the polls include:

• North Bengal: Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, and Malda.

• South Bengal: Murshidabad, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, West Burdwan, and Birbhum.

The state will conclude its electoral process with the second phase for the remaining 142 seats on April 29.

Tamil Nadu: A Fierce Four-Cornered Battle

In Tamil Nadu, polling is underway across all 234 constituencies in a single-phase marathon. Over 5.73 crore eligible voters are deciding the political future of 4,023 candidates.

The 2026 election has evolved into one of the most competitive in recent memory, featuring a four-way contest between:

1. DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance

2. AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance

3. Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK)

4. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)

Voters began queuing as early as 7 a.m., with political analysts closely watching turnout trends in urban vs. rural belts to predict the final verdict.

The Road to May 4

While West Bengal still has one more phase of voting to complete next week, the fate of Tamil Nadu’s candidates will be sealed by the end of the day. The Election Commission will begin the counting of votes for both states on May 4, marking the culmination of these crucial regional contests.