Election2026
Power battle nears climax: Vote counting today in Bengal, TN, Kerala, Assam, Puducherry
The stage is set for the counting of votes across five key regions—Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry—on Monday, following Assembly elections held over the past month.
West Bengal emerges as the main battleground
West Bengal has emerged as the focal point of political attention, with repolling ordered in Falta, Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim amid heightened electoral tension.
The state has witnessed a closely fought contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Multi-phase polling conducted across states
Assembly elections in the five regions were conducted in phases between April 9 and April 29, 2026. Kerala, Assam and Puducherry voted in a single phase on April 9, while Tamil Nadu and the first phase of West Bengal polling took place on April 23. West Bengal concluded voting on April 29 in its second phase.
High-stakes contest for key political leaders
The outcome in West Bengal will determine whether Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee secures a fourth straight consecutive term or whether the BJP stages a significant political upset.
In Tamil Nadu, Assam and Kerala, the results will decide the fate of key leaders including MK Stalin, Himanta Biswa Sarma and Pinarayi Vijayan, respectively.
EC clarifies VVPAT slip controversy
The Election Commission clarified reports regarding alleged Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips found in a drain in North 24 Parganas district. Officials stated that the slips were linked to mock polls conducted prior to election day and were not related to actual voting.
District Election Officer, North 24 Parganas, posted on X:“Upon examination, it has been found that the VVPAT paper slips shown are related to mock poll done before poll day and are not related to the actual poll conducted on poll day.”
Upon examination, it has been found that the VVPAT paper slips shown are related to mock poll done before poll day and are not related to the actual poll conducted on poll day.
— DEO North 24 Parganas (@DEO_N24Pgs) May 3, 2026
A detailed enquiry has been initiated, and a formal complaint has been lodged for verification & action
A detailed inquiry has been initiated and a formal complaint has been filed for verification and necessary action.
Exit Poll projections show mixed political picture
Exit polls for the 2026 Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry indicate a highly varied political landscape.
West Bengal appears set for a close contest between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, while Tamil Nadu has seen strong signals of a possible breakthrough for actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in several surveys.
In Assam, projections suggest another comfortable victory for the BJP under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Kerala exit polls indicate a potential return of a Congress-led alliance, while Puducherry appears to favour the NDA.
Massive electoral mandate at stake
With nearly 17 crore voters participating across 824 constituencies, the final results are expected to significantly reshape regional political dynamics across India.
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