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Assembly Election 2026 Updates: Polling In West Bengal & Tamil Nadu Ends With A Record High Voter Turnout

By Oneindia Staff
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Assembly Election 2026 LIVE Updates: Voting for all 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu and 152 constituencies in the first phase of West Bengal will take place on Thursday, in the elections that set to test the strength of major parties and their leaders.

The polls will determine the future of dominant regional forces-the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led by M. K. Stalin and Mamata Banerjee respectively. The elections will also gauge the Bharatiya Janata Party's prospects as a challenger in West Bengal and its ability to expand in Tamil Nadu alongside the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

AI Summary

AI-generated summary, reviewed by editors

Voting for Tamil Nadu's 234 seats and West Bengal's first phase 152 constituencies occurs Thursday, testing DMK (Stalin), TMC (Mamata Banerjee), BJP, and actor Vijay's new Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party.
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Assembly Election 2026 LIVE Updates Tamil Nadu West Bengal Voter Turnout Polling Trends amp amp Latest News

A notable new entrant is the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay. Contesting all 234 seats, the party presents itself as a clean alternative in a state long shaped by Dravidian politics.

While Tamil Nadu votes in a single phase, the remaining constituencies in West Bengal will go to the polls on 29 April. Campaigning in both states has been intense. In West Bengal, the BJP is seeking to unseat the TMC, in power since 2011, amid disputes over voter list revisions-allegations the party and the Election Commission deny.

Key constituencies include Nandigram, where BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari faces renewed scrutiny, alongside Darjeeling and Siliguri. In Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K. Palaniswami seeks to consolidate his leadership, while attention also centres on emerging figures and shifting political dynamics.

LIVE Updates Here

Apr 23, 2026, 9:11 PM IST

ADG Law & Order Anand Kumar:

ADG Law & Order Anand Kumar says, " Wherever incidents have occurred, action has been taken, arrests have been made. 41 arrested in specific cases and around 571 in the preventive section of BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita)..."
Apr 23, 2026, 8:33 PM IST

Final Voter Turnout Is Yet Updating:

The turnout is updating and the latest final turnout In West Bengal is 92.14%
Apr 23, 2026, 7:54 PM IST

Chief Election Commissioner of India:

Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner of India, says, "Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu since Independence - ECI salutes each voter of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu."
Apr 23, 2026, 7:43 PM IST

Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and BJP candidate from Nandigram and Bhawanipur assembly constituencies, Suvendu Adhikari says, "They (TMC) are anti-social. Goons of a particular community are being given protection by the government and police..."
Apr 23, 2026, 7:28 PM IST

Humayun Kabir Says Election Held Peacefully:

Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP) founder, and candidate from the Rejinagar Assembly constituency, Humayun Kabir says, "... Elections were held peacefully. The decision of the Election Commission to conduct the elections in two phases. Today was the first phase of the elections in West Bengal. Today, elections were held peacefully..."
Apr 23, 2026, 7:19 PM IST

Phase 1 West Bengal Assembly Election Ends

The first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections concluded with a strong overall voter turnout of 91.40%, reflecting high public participation. Among districts, Dakshin Dinajpur recorded the highest turnout at 94.46%, while Kalimpong registered the lowest at 82.88%, though still showing significant voter engagement across the state.
Apr 23, 2026, 7:08 PM IST

Voting Ends In Malda!

EVMs are being sealed by polling officials as the voting for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election 2026 concludes; Visuals from a polling booth in Malda
Apr 23, 2026, 7:01 PM IST

West Bengal Elections 2026 - Siliguri

EVMs are being sealed by polling officials as the voting for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election 2026 concludes; Visuals from a polling booth in Siliguri
Apr 23, 2026, 6:49 PM IST

West Bengal Phase 1 Assembly Election:

Congress candidate from Berhampore assembly constituency Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, "...Our polling agents have been attacked by some goons here. These goons are from the government..."
Apr 23, 2026, 6:14 PM IST

Laxman Pandey, polling agent of Ratan Das, BJP candidate from the Chanchal Assembly, alleges that he was attacked by TMC workers in Malda.
Apr 23, 2026, 6:13 PM IST

TMC candidate from Harirampur assembly, Biplab Mitra says, "... As candidates, we visited different constituencies to monitor the ongoing voting, which caused some delay. Central forces are deployed and doing their duties well, ensuring order at polling centres. In this district and across the state, the expectation is that Mamata Banerjee will once again become Chief Minister..."
Apr 23, 2026, 6:12 PM IST

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026- Phase 1

People pelted stones at the CRPF personnel deployed in Khairasol Ghumar village of Dubrajpur Assembly constituency of Birbhum district.
Apr 23, 2026, 5:39 PM IST

West Bengal Elections 2026 - Voter Turnout Till 5PM

West Bengal Elections 2026 - Voter Turnout Till 5PM
West Bengal Phase-1 voter turnout records - 89.93%
Apr 23, 2026, 5:26 PM IST

Murshidabad, West Bengal:

Singer Arijit Singh arrives to cast his vote at Jiyaganj polling station.
Apr 23, 2026, 5:18 PM IST

Clashes erupt between villagers and central forces over an alleged EVM malfunction in Budhpur village in Purulia.
Apr 23, 2026, 4:59 PM IST

Cooch Behar, West Bengal :

BJP candidate from Mathabhanga, Nisith Pramanik, says, "The way there's a festive atmosphere and enthusiasm among the people, I've never seen such excitement among ordinary voters in any previous election. Even those who had migrated from here for employment have returned to vote... There's tremendous enthusiasm among all the people, which shows that people want Ram Rajya. They want to see a new dawn, a new sunrise in Bengal... Wherever TMC is, there's violence. TMC isn't able to win properly, so it's resorting to other means... Compared to last time, the Election Commission has controlled the situation much better this time..."
Apr 23, 2026, 4:29 PM IST

Murshidabad, West Bengal:

Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP) founder, and candidate from the Rejinagar Assembly constituency, Humayun Kabir, visits the Babri Masjid construction site.
Apr 23, 2026, 4:22 PM IST

West Bengal Polls 2026:

A first-time voter in Siliguri says, “Somebody else with the same name voted in my place,” while Congress candidate Aloke Dhara rejects claims of ‘chappa vote’.
Apr 23, 2026, 3:52 PM IST

Total votes polled are 2.83 Crore. Total voters of West Bengal (phase 1) are 3.6 Cr
Apr 23, 2026, 3:44 PM IST

West Bengal Voter Turnout Till 3 PM :

West Bengal Voter Turnout Till 3 PM :
West Bengal Records 78.77% Voter Turnout Till 3 PM in Phase 1 Polls
Apr 23, 2026, 2:58 PM IST

BJP candidate from Asansol South Assembly constituency

BJP candidate from Asansol South Assembly constituency, Agnimitra Paul says, "As I sat in the car, someone broke the glass of the car with a big stone... This has been happening repeatedly. Who will commit such an incident in a minority area? TMC has very good relations with the minority. The Muslim brothers and sisters are also supporting the BJP now. They cannot do anything by throwing stones at Agnimitra Paul. I have given a complaint in the police station but I have not filed any written complaint..."
Apr 23, 2026, 2:42 PM IST

Bengal Election Phase 1: TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha Calls Himself 'Hindustani Babu'

TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha casts his vote in the first phase of voting for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections.
Apr 23, 2026, 2:40 PM IST

BJP candidate from Asansol South Assembly constituency, Agnimitra Paul's car vandalised in the Rahmatnagar area of ​​Burnpur.
Apr 23, 2026, 2:39 PM IST

West Bengal Polling Phase 1: Woman Voter Passes Away

Woman voter falls unconscious and passes away at a polling booth in Kandaran area of Malatipur assembly constituency
Apr 23, 2026, 2:38 PM IST

West Benhal Phase 1 Polling: Bankura

Voting continues across 152 of the total 294 constituencies in the state in phase 1 of the polling today. Polling officials are closely verifying the voters' names in the voters' list. Voters who are wearing a burqa or hijab have been verified by the polling officials and then allowed to vote at Punisole village of Onda assembly constituency.
Apr 23, 2026, 2:29 PM IST

Actors Surya and Jyothika Sadanah Saravanan execised their votes today. Other voters, who were standing the queue got excited and took photos with them. The scene displays that every vote is equal and every voter is important.
Apr 23, 2026, 2:20 PM IST

Ink smeared on lotus symbol in EVM machine, CRPF says now cleared
Apr 23, 2026, 2:19 PM IST

BJP's South Dinajpur candidated allegedly manhandled by TMC workers
Apr 23, 2026, 2:12 PM IST

Congress leader and Berhampore assembly constituency candidate Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury urged officials to resolve the EVM malfunction at the polling booth. "The EVM at booth 141 has been malfunctioning. As a result of this, the common voters who are standing under the Sun have to go back home. It depends on you how this situation can be tackled. It has been alleged by the Presiding Officer that they have been left in a helpless situation. Right now, your intervention is imperative. The EVM here has been changed for the fourth time, and even the changed EVM is also non-functional," Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said.
Apr 23, 2026, 1:59 PM IST

According to the latest data, 3.25 crore people have voted till 1 pm in Tamil Nadu and 2.23 Crore people voted in West Bengal.
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Read more about:

tamil nadu assembly elections 2026 west bengal assembly election 2026 bjp tmc politics

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