23 April,2026 12:14 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
A security personnel stands guard during voting in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, at a polling station in Murshidabad, on Thursday. PIC/PTI
Tamil Nadu and West Bengal witnessed brisk polling during the first few hours of voting on Thursday. While West Bengal, which is voting in Phase 1, recorded 41.11 per cent turnout, Tamil Nadu registered 37.57 per cent till 11 am, according to the Election Commission of India.
In West Bengal, Paschim Medinipur recorded the highest turnout at 44.68 per cent, followed by Jhargram at 43.71 per cent and Bankura at 43.22 per cent. The lowest turnout was recorded in Malda at 38.22 per cent.
Parties are contesting for 294 Assembly seats. The first phase covers 152 constituencies, while the second phase includes 142 seats. A total of 1,478 candidates are in the fray in this phase.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is seeking a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP, which won 77 seats in the previous election, is making a fresh bid to form the government in the state.
In Tamil Nadu, Tiruppur recorded the highest turnout at 42.45 per cent, followed by Namakkal at 41.41 per cent and Erode at 41.00 per cent, news agency ANI reported. Chennai registered 35.47 per cent turnout, Coimbatore 38.62 per cent and Madurai 36.22 per cent. The lowest turnout in the state was recorded in the Nilgiris at 32.62 per cent.
Polling for the Assembly elections began in Tamil Nadu and across 152 constituencies in West Bengal amid tight security arrangements on Thursday. Voting will continue till 6 pm, while counting of votes will take place on May 4.
Several leaders, including Chief Minister MK Stalin, TVK chief Vijay, DMK minister KN Nehru, along with actors Rajinikanth and Dhruv Vikram, cast their votes earlier in the day.
Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik said the state has more than 5.73 crore voters, including 2,93,04,905 women voters, 2,80,30,658 men voters and 7,728 third-gender voters.
The electorate also includes 14,59,039 first-time voters and 68,501 service voters, while 4,18,541 postal votes have already been received. A total of 62 counting centres have been set up for the counting process.
The main contest in Tamil Nadu is expected between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, comprising the Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance led by AIADMK with the BJP and PMK as allies.
(With ANI inputs)
