Kolkata/Chennai: Voting began on Thursday, April 23, in 152 constituencies in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections and all 234 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, amid unprecedented security arrangements and high-stakes battles.
According to the Election Commission, over 3.60 crore electors are eligible to vote in this phase in West Bengal, including around 1.75 crore women and 465 third-gender voters. A record 2,450 companies of central paramilitary forces, comprising nearly 2.5 lakh personnel, have been deployed across the state for the polls, with over 8,000 polling stations identified as highly sensitive.
Tamil Nadu’s electorate is 5.73 crore strong and they will vote in as many as 75,064 polling stations in 33,133 locations to decide the fortunes of 4,023 candidates. The total electorate comprises 2.93 women, 2.83 crore men, and 7,728 third-gender persons.
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6:48 pm: Polling ends in 152 assembly seats in Bengal
Voting across 152 constituencies in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections ended at 6 pm on Thursday and electors who reached the polling stations before the scheduled closure would be allowed to exercise their franchise, officials said.
The voter turnout registered at 92.14 per cent in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly polls was the state’s highest-ever percentage since Independence.
Polling in 16 districts began at 7 am on Thursday amid tight security to decide the electoral fate of 1,478 candidates, including 167 women, in 152 constituencies of the 294-strong state assembly.
Long queues outside polling booths reflected strong voter participation in what is being seen as a crucial round in a high-stakes contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP.
The state recorded 89.93 per cent voter turnout till 5 pm, with the Dakshin Dinajpur district leading with 93.12 per cent polling.
6:44 p: Voting ends in Tamil Nadu
Voting for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election ended at 6 pm and electors who gathered in the polling stations before the time for closure of polling were allowed to vote, officials said.
About 82.24 per cent of the 5.73 crore eligible voters exercised their franchise in the election to the 234-member strong Tamil Nadu Assembly, a record turnout. Final data will be made available following consolidation of data, officials added.
People voted in as many as 75,064 polling stations in 33,133 locations to decide the fortunes of 4,023 candidates.
6:13 pm: Chanchal BJP candidate attacked by TMC workers
Another BJP candidate has alleged he was attacked by TMC workers while on his way to the polling booth. Laxman Pandey is contesting from Chanchal Assembly constituency. He further claimed that TMC workers were preventing 150 to 200 voters from casting their votes.
6:07 pm: Annamalai claims massive electoral malpractices
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai alleged that massive electoral malpractices were taking place in the state Assembly elections and criticised the Election Commission for failing to provide adequate transport facilities for voters.
“House to house, four people are walking and giving Rs 5,000 for one vote. In the Karur Assembly constituency, they are boldly going and giving a half-gram gold coin to a voter. All of this didn’t happen in a single day. This money has come from somewhere. It has been hidden somewhere. They have micro-managed it somewhere,” Annamalai said.
He further noted that similar cash distributions had been reported within Coimbatore over the last few days, which he said had disturbed the sanctity of the polling process.
6:02 pm: Bengal polls indicate TMC in position to win: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asserted that polling held so far in the first phase of the assembly polls indicates the TMC is already in a position to win. “From my understanding of people’s mind, we are already in a position to win given the polling held so far today. I am not interested in any post, I don’t want the chair. I only want the end of BJP government in Delhi,” she said.
5:57 pm: First naturalised Indian citizen from Sri Lanka votes
R Gokuleswaran, 40, became the first naturalised Indian citizen from the Sri Lankan rehabilitation camp at Kottapattu in Tiruchi district to cast his vote, polling in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election on April 23.
5:48 pm : West Bengal reports 89.95 pc voter turnout in
According to ECI, West Bengal has reported 89.93 per cent voter turnout till 5 pm in the first phase.
5:31 pm : Clashes reported in Birbhum during final hours of polling
Clashes broke out between locals and security personnel in the Kharisaol area in Birbhum after allegations of EVM malfunctioning triggered tension during the final hours of polling in the first phase of the state assembly elections, officials said.
The trouble began at a polling booth under the Dubrajpur Assembly constituency, where electors alleged that votes cast in favour of the TMC were being registered for the BJP. According to the locals, voting was halted for nearly 30 minutes following complaints of glitches in the electronic voting machines, and protests erupted outside the booth.
The situation escalated after an argument broke out between polling officials and agitated voters, with a section of locals gathering outside the booth and staging a demonstration.
Security personnel, including central forces, intervened to disperse the crowd, following which clashes erupted. Police and CRPF personnel were pelted with stones, prompting them to resort to mild force to bring the situation under control.
Several personnel of the central forces were injured in the incident, the officials said. A police vehicle was also damaged during the violence, they added.
4:26 pm: No one will be able to infiltrate Bengal: Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said “not a single intruder” would be allowed to enter West Bengal if the BJP comes to power, and the illegal immigrants already here would be “selectively rooted out”.
Addressing a public rally at Balagarh in Hooghly, he said the BJP was poised to form a government in the state with a full majority. Alleging that infiltration was hurting the state’s economy and security, Shah said, “Intruders are eating away the jobs of Bengal’s youth, the rations of the poor, and working to undermine the country’s security.”
3:56 pm: Over 70 pc voter turnout till 3 pm
According to ECI data, at 3 pm, West Bengal recorded 78.77 per cent voting in its first phase, while Tamil Nadu saw over 70 per cent voter participation.
District-wise data showed a strong turnout across regions, with Bankura touching around 79 per cent, Murshidabad 79.72 per cent, Cooch Behar around 79 per cent, while Paschim Medinipur (65.77 per cent) and Jhargram (65.31 per cent) also recorded robust participation. Slightly lower turnout was seen in Malda (around 76 per cent) and Alipurduar (around 77 per cent).
In Bengal, Dakshin Dinajpur recorded the highest with 81.49 per cent turnout, followed by Paschim Medinipur at 81.07 per cent and Jhargram 81.04 per cent.
In Tamil Nadu, Salem district topped with 75.79 per cent voter turnout. Chennai registered 68.13 per cent polling, while in Madurai it was 67.15 per cent, Coimbatore saw 71.16 per cent and the centrally located Tiruchirappalli district witnessed 71.05 per cent polling.
3:47 pm: Peaceful polling in Chennai: Police Commissioner
3:27 pm: 3-generation of family votes in Chennai
In a striking display of democratic participation, a three-generation family of 14 arrived together at Stella Maris College on Thursday to cast their votes in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election.
The family, ranging from elderly patriarchs to first-time voters, stood in line as a single unit, drawing significant attention from fellow voters and media crews stationed at the high-profile polling booth.
Stella Maris College remains one of Chennai’s most prominent polling locations, frequently hosting high-profile figures and large community groups.
Speaking to PTI Videos outside the booth, the family members emphasised that voting together is a long-standing tradition in their family, meant to inspire the younger generation.
“We have been doing this for years. It is important that the grandchildren see us participate so they understand that their voice matters as much as ours,” 63-year-old Jayanthi said.
Her son Shivraj (35) said, “Coming with the whole family makes it feel less like a chore and more like a celebration of our rights. We discussed the issues—like employment and law and order—at breakfast before coming here.”
3:30 pm: Humayun Kabir files complaint with ECI, TN policeman stabbed
Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) founder Humayun Kabir has filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India following a brawl between him and TMC supporters while visiting a polling booth in Shibnagar village in Murshidabad’s Naoda assembly constituency.
Interacting with the media, he spoke about the Babri Masjid in Rejinagar constituency. “The foundation was laid on December 6, 2025, and work is progressing in phases, including underground and above-ground structures designed to hold around 12,000 people,” he said.
Argument between BJP candidate and TMC workers: In Bengal’s Siuri, a verbal altercation occurred between a BJP candidate and TMC worker, with the latter alleging the former is “terrorising” voters. In response, she says that she was just helping a differently-abled voter with the voting procedure.
ECI ‘responsible’ for Murshidabad clash, says TMC leader: Reacting to the Murshidabad violence, senior leader Shantanu Sen blamed the ECI for the incident. “Whatever the incident may be, the responsibility lies with the Election Commission because this time Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah have appointed Gyanesh Kumar,” he said.
He also felt confident that the people of Bengal will vote against the BJP. “From the way people in West Bengal are voting in the first phase, it is clear that the people of West Bengal have made up their mind to vote against the anti-India, anti-Bengal BJP,” he said.
Head Constable in Tamil Nadu stabbed: A Head Constable on election duty was allegedly stabbed multiple times by a man at the polling booth in the Poompuhar Assembly constituency. He received injuries on his neck and both hands.
TVK supporter arrested: A Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam supporter was arrested in Tirupattur for filming himself voting and sharing the video on social media.
2:28 pm: BJP set for landslide victory, claims Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated the people of West Bengal for their massive turnout in the ongoing first phase of assembly elections, and called the vote figures so far indicative of an “overwhelming mandate for change”.
Addressing a poll rally in Krishnanagar in Nadia district, Modi asserted that violence during the assembly polls remained at a minimum in 50 years.
“Violence was kept at a minimum in the last 50 years of poll history in Bengal. The information I have received so far makes me certain that this is going to be a mandate for a change,” the PM said.
He claimed the BJP has achieved decisive victories whenever people turned up to vote in overwhelming numbers.
Locals assault BJP candidate: Locals along with TMC workers tried to assualt Kumarganj BJP candidate Shubhendu Sarkar and then chased him away. He was rescued by security personnel.
Asansol BJP candidate’s car targeted: In the Asansol South constituency, BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul’s car was attacked with bricks and stones, leaving the glass completely shattered.
“This TMC party is such a criminal and a goons’ party, full of criminals. Yesterday, many people came from outside. I have information. Many goons have come here; a big goon from Kharagpur named Nadim has come here. I am naming him. The election commission has to see all this, we want free and fair elections,” she told the media.
Woman dies minutes before voting: In Bengal’s Malatipur assembly constituency, a woman fell unconscious and passed away from a heart attack at the polling booth, minutes before casting her vote. She was accompanied by her son. “She was in good health. We do not know what happened,” her son told PTI.
Bedridden woman votes: While in Tamil Nadu’s Namakkal constituency, a bedridden woman exercised her voting rights. She was brought in an ambulance.
2:28 pm: Voting first for this newly married couple
At a polling station in Chennai’s Kodambakkam, famously known as Tamil Nadu’s tinsel town, a bride and groom resplendent in veshti (dhoti), saree and garland around their neck came to cast their vote shortly after getting married.
Sunil, who works as an advocate, said they came rushing, only 15 minutes after tying the ‘thali’ (mangalsutra). “Because we are rushing against time, as my wife’s vote is in Kallakurichi district. After here, we have to go there,” Sunil told PTI Videos.
2:19 pm: TN records 56.81 per cent voting till 1 pm
Tamil Nadu recorded 56.81 per cent voter turnout at 1 pm. Tiruppur district topped with a 62.97 per cent voter turnout.
Chennai recorded 54.58 per cent polling, while Madurai (54.75), Coimbatore (58.24) and the centrally located Tiruchirappalli district (57.66) also saw brisk polling.
Kolathur Assembly constituency in Chennai, where DMK President and Chief Minister M K Stalin is contesting, saw 56.59 polling till 1 pm.
Similarly, Edappadi constituency in Salem recorded 60.98 per cent. AIADMK general secretary and former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami is contesting from his traditional turf.
In Tiruchirappalli East, where Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief Vijay is contesting, 55.95 per cent polling was recorded till 1 pm.
1:45 pm: Bengal registered 62.18 per cent voter turnout till 1 pm, says ECI data
Pottalurani villagers boycott elections: None of the residents of Pottalurani village voted after a call for boycott was made earlier. The villagers are protesting against fish waste processing units operating near their homes and say the government has failed to meet their long-pending demand for their permanent closure. This is the second consecutive election in which the village has declared a boycott.
Voting delayed in Erode, Namakkal: Voting was delayed in a couple of polling stations falling under Tamil Nadu’s Erode and Namakkal regions due to glitches in EVMs/VVPAT. In a polling booth in Erode’s Soorampatti area, “minor technical glitch” in EVMs was rectified.
In Namakkal, in a polling station at the Kollimalai foothills, due to dysfunctional EVM/VVPAT, polling was delayed for a while and it was replaced with spare equipment, they added.
1:15 pm: Bengal elephant, Tamil Robot steal spotlight
An unlikely “voter” – a wandering elephant named ‘Ramlal’ – briefly stole the poll spotlight in West Bengal’s Jhargram. Before polling could gather pace at Jitushol Primary School, the jumbo ambled in, turning an otherwise routine start into a spectacle that blended anxiety with amusement.
‘Ramlal’ swayed past the queue, peering curiously at a parked vehicle, and momentarily holding up the democratic exercise with its own brand of silent assertion.
In Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore polling booth, Robot Tina, dressed in a traditional half saree, welcomed voters, bringing cheers.
Marriage celebrations did not stop this Tamil Nadu couple from exercising their franchise, as they headed to the polling booth soon after beginning their new life together to cast their vote as newlyweds.
1:01 pm Polling agent, BJP Kumarganj candidate attacked in separate incidents
A BJP polling agent sustained head injuries after he was attacked in Birbhum. He is under treatment.
BJP has accused the ruling TMC of manhandling Kumarganj candidate Suvendu Sarkar, alleging he was beaten up while on his way to the polling booth.
Tamil Nadu politicians, celebrities cast their votes
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, TVK chief Vijay, AMMK chief T T V Dhinakaran, PMK leader Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth among others reached the polling stations early in the morning.
Similarly, actors Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ajith Kumar, R Sarathkumar, Radhika Sarathkumar, Dhanush, Sivakarthikeyan cast their votes at their respective polling stations.
12:46 pm: Tamil Nadu registered 37.56 pc turnout at 11 am: ECI
According to Election Commission of India (EC) figures, voter turnout stood at 37.56 per cent by the first four hours of the polling exercise. About two crore voters cast their votes till 11 am.
| District/Constituency | Voter Turnout till 11 am |
|---|---|
| Tiruppur | 42.45 per cent |
| Chennai | 35.47 per cent |
| Madurai | 36.22 per cent |
| Coimbatore | 38.62 per cent |
| Tiruchirappalli district | 38.08 per cent |
| Kolathur | 37.06 per cent |
| Chepauk-Tiruvallikeni | 34.44 per cent |
| Edappadi | 39.94 per cent |
| Tiruchirappalli East | 37.24 per cent |
12:41 pm: BJP seeks complete campaign ban on CM Mamata
BJP candidate from Jagatdal, Dr Rajesh Kumar, has demanded a complete ban on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s campaign for alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct over remarks made during the 2026 campaign. According to him, she violated election rules. She accused her of using references such as dhokar dalna, bichuti and neem in an April 21 speech to threaten the Central Armed Police Forces indirectly.
12:37 pm: TMC says police acting on BJP’s favour; saffron party claims voter intimidation
On one hand, Minister Shashi Panja strongly accused police personnel posted for poll duty in Nandigram of favouring the BJP, on the other, Nandigram BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari alleged “goons backed by the ruling party were threatening people.”
The TMC will lodge a complaint with seeking removal of two police officers: Panja told media. “The presence of these officers is raising serious concerns about the neutrality in the polling process,” she claimed.
12:28 pm: Ex-Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan votes
Former Telangana Governor and BJP candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan said women’s voice should be heard loudly in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, and that women candidates winning the polls meant a victory to the NDA. “It is DMK versus women of Tamil Nadu. Women of Tamil Nadu are not safe. So, my narrative is DMK versus women of Tamil Nadu. If the women of Tamil Nadu win, then NDA will be winning,” she told PTI Videos after casting her vote here.
12:11 pm: CRPF assaulted three women, claims TMC
A TMC leader has alleged that three women cadres were assaulted by the CRPF personnel at Lakhipur constituency.
11:59 am: Voter turnout in West Bengal was recorded at 41.11 per cent till 11 am
Here is a breakdown:
11:36 am: EC seeks report on Nowda tension between TMC, Humayun Kabir
The Election Commission (EC) has sought a report from the District Magistrate and District Election Officer on the Nowda tension between AUJP founder Humayun Kabir and Trinamool Congress workers, the Times of India quoted EC officials as saying.
11:25 am: Clash between AIADMK, DMK cadres in Salem
A scuffle broke out inside booth no 139 at Arisipalayam in Tamil Nadu’s Salem during polling, drawing in booth-level agents of the AIADMK and DMK as well as a woman voter and her family members.
Trouble began when M Kandasamy of the AIADMK and C Senthil of the DMK were in conversation inside the polling station. The Times of India reported that eyewitnesses alleged that Senthil was canvassing for his party when a misunderstanding set events in motion. Voter S Loganayaki of ward 27 apparently believed the exchange was directed at her and turned on Kandasamy, eventually slapping him.
Kandasamy hit back, and the dispute quickly spiralled into a full-blown scuffle, with Loganayaki’s son Vigneswaran and sister M Renuka joining in against him. “I sustained injuries and my shirt was torn,” Kandasamy told TOI.
Loganayaki offered a contrasting account, insisting it was Kandasamy who had verbally abused and physically attacked her first. “I suffered multiple injuries, including nose bleeding,” she said, pointing the finger at AIADMK ward secretary M Yuvaraj as the hand behind the incident. Yuvaraj denied any involvement.
Police from Pallapatty station arrived promptly and launched an inquiry.
11:18 am: Humayun Kabir accuses Mamata of ‘purchasing’ candidates
Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief Humayun Kabir on Thursday alleged the ruling Trinamool Congress bribed several of his party candidates to keep them out of the poll fray. Kabir, who cast his vote during the early hours of polling, was met with protests from Trinamool Congress supporters who raised “go back” slogans when the leader visited a polling booth in Shibnagar village in Murshidabad’s Naoda assembly constituency.
The protesters, led by local TMC leaders, surrounded Kabir’s vehicle and raised slogans while branding him a “BJP agent.” The demonstration sparked tension in the area around the polling station. Kabir, an MLA from Murshidabad’s Bharatpur, who has now formed his own party and is seeking re-election, was suspended from the TMC in December last year after he proposed the construction of a Babri-like mosque.
11:03 am: argument breaks out between TMC cadre, BJP’s Sankar Ghosh
An argument broke out between supporters of the TMC and BJP candidate from Siliguri assembly constituency, Sankar Ghosh, at Jagadish Chandra Vidyapith, booth number-26/237, in Siliguri.
10:55 am: Clashes between TMC, AUJP workers in Murshidabad
A scuffle broke out between Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP) founder Humayun Kabir in West Bengal’s Murshidabad on Thursday.
Humayun Kabir was visiting the area where a crude bomb hurling incident was reported a day earlier. TMC workers sloganeered and entered into an altercation with the police as they protested upon the arrival of the AUJP leader.
On the crude bomb hurling incident, Kabir said, “There was an attempt. I told my people to stay calm. Voting should be held peacefully. I have no intention of hurting or threatening anyone. I will visit there.”
“In Nowda, Rejinagar and all 22 seats of Murshidabad, peaceful elections are taking place. But in two booths of Nowda, in numbers 9 and 10, an incident happened overnight. They snatched the bags of local police,” he added.
10:19 am: EC seeks report on allegation of voter intimidation in Murshidabad’s Domkal
The Election Commission on Thursday sought a report from officials over allegations that several people were prevented from casting their votes in Murshidabad district’s Domkal during the first phase of the West Bengal assembly polls on Thursday, officials said.
Several voters in Domkal alleged that they were threatened and intimidated, with some claiming they were warned of assault if they attempted to reach polling stations. In Raipur village, under the Domkal Assembly constituency, several people claimed that armed people were staying in the area since early morning, creating an atmosphere of fear.
The allegations were directed at the ruling TMC, though the party did not immediately respond to the charges.
9:57 am: EVM glitches disrupt polling in few places of WB votes in first phase
EVM glitches disrupted voting at a few places in West Bengal on Thursday as polling was underway in the first phase of the assembly elections, officials said. In Murshidabad district, polling was halted at booth number 156 in Parsalika Madanmohan Primary School in the Beldanga assembly segment after an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) developed a snag, they said.
At booth number 212 in the Samsherganj assembly constituency, voting did not begin on time because of similar issues. Polling was also delayed at booth number 130 in Kandi, officials added. In Purba Medinipur, an EVM malfunction was reported in Birulia of the Nandigram assembly constituency.
In Cooch Behar, voting at booth number 229 in Town High School was suspended for nearly an hour before resuming. Polling was also delayed at booth number 231 in Malda district’s Habibpur constituency. In Siliguri in Darjeeling district, polling could not start on time at booth number 26/31 in Margaret School because of a faulty EVM.
9:52 am: Hundred per cent confident of winning: Palaniswami
AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami exuded confidence that his party would return to power.
Speaking to reporters after exercising his franchise in Siluvampalayam in Tamil Nadu’s Salem, the AIADMK general secretary said people should turn up in large numbers and fulfil their democratic obligation today.
9:48 am: Over 18 pc voter turnout recorded till 9 am in West Bengal
As many as 18.76 per cent of voters turned out to cast their ballots till 9 am in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections.
9:43 am: Vijay seeks extension of voting time
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and candidate from Tiruchirappalli East and Perambur constituencies Vijay, in a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, appealed to extend polling hours by two hours till 8 pm.
“Extend polling hours by two hours: In view of the large surge of delayed voters due to travel disruptions, and long-queue waiting imperatives, polling must be extended till 8:00 pm across all affected constituencies,” the actor’s letter said.
9:35 am: EVM malfunctions at booth in Tamil Nadu, voting delayed by 2 hours
Voters at booth no 162 in Doddabavi, under Jadayampalayam panchayat in the Mettupalayam Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu, faced a nearly two-hour wait on Thursday after an EVM malfunction threw polling off schedule.
Assistant Returning Officer Kavitha noted that the machine had shown no problems during the mock poll held before voting was set to begin. Despite this, the control unit failed just as polling was about to get underway at 7 am. Efforts by polling staff to fix the fault on the spot proved unsuccessful, leaving the booth at a standstill with no votes recorded in the opening hours.
The machine was eventually repaired, and polling finally got underway at around 9:15 am.
9:28 am: Security forces escort voters to booth in Murshidabad’s Domkol
The night before polling, workers of the Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) came to blows in Raipur village, Domkol, Murshidabad, leaving residents gripped by fear come morning.
Many villagers were reluctant to step out and make their way to polling stations. The situation was brought under control after police and central security forces intervened, eventually escorting residents safely to cast their votes.
8:59 am: Actors Rajnikanth, Kamal Hasan vote
Tamil superstars Rajnikanth cast his vote at Stella Maris School in Chennai. MNM chief and actor Kamal Haasan, along with his daughter Shruti Haasan, also exercised their franchise at a polling station in Chennai.
When Kamal Haasan was asked by the media how confident he was of a second term, the actor said, “Yes.”
8:55 am: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin, son vote in Chennai
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK candidate from Kolathur, MK Stalin, arrived at a polling station in Chennai to cast his vote. His family, including his son and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, is also with him.
“Just come out and vote. I have been doing this for the last 25 years. My son is voting for the first time,” Stalin said.
8:49 am: Your vote is your voice, must be resoundingly heard: Kharge
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in separate posts on X, urged people in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu to vote in the crucial polls.
“Do not be deterred by forces that seek to discourage you. Your vote is your voice, and it must be resoundingly heard,” he said. “West Bengal is the proud land of great leaders who stood for Democracy, social justice, equality, and freedom. We need to ensure those ideals remain intact,” he added.
“To Tamil Nadu voters, he saidm “The fight today is to secure your rights. The fight is to protect federalism, rationality, equality, justice and freedom. It is also to ensure inclusive welfare and retain the ideals of social justice espoused by your icons.
8:42 am: People gather to catch glimpse of actor Ajith vote
With actor S Ajith Kumar casting his vote at the polling station in Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai, fans and admirers gathered in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the star.
8:36 am: P Chidambaram votes in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram was among the early voters in Tamil Nadu, casting his vote at a polling station in Karaikudi, Sivaganga.
“Youth must vote for secularism and progress,” he said.
8:30 am: Suvendu Adhikari casts vote
West Bengal Leader of Opposition and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Nandigram and Bhabanipur, Suvendu Adhikari, cast his vote on Thursday morning.
“If a change does not take place this time, Sanatana in Bengal will be finished. The Election Commission is doing good work, but there are some goons everywhere. Our polling agent has been arrested. Strict action should be taken immediately,” he told mediapersons after exercising his franchise.
8:25 am: Only 139 voters cleared to vote in Bengal out of 34 lakh appeals
With 34 lakh applications pending before them due to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, West Bengal’s 19 electoral tribunals managed to approve just 139 names for inclusion in the voting list ahead of the state’s first-phase polling on Thursday.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) released supplementary lists following a Supreme Court directive requiring the tribunals to process applications up to two days before each of the two polling dates — April 23 and April 29 — and publish the results accordingly.
When the ECI announced the supplementary list for the April 23 phase on Wednesday morning, April 22, it withheld both the complete names and the total number of applications under consideration. Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Agrawal, later confirmed to The Indian Express that 139 names had made it onto the list.
8:15 am: PM Modi urges voters to exercise their franchise
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in separate posts on X, urged the electorate to come out and vote in large numbers in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
7:55 am: Voters queue up at polling stations in Tamil Nadu
Voting for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election commenced at 7 am amidst tight security with people briskly lining up in front of the polling stations across the state.
The key contenders for power are the ruling DMK and main opposition AIADMK, while actor-politician Vijay-led TVK and Tamil nationalist Seeman-led NTK are putting up a determined fight.
7:50 am: People line up to vote in Bengal
Polling started at 7 am with voters queueing up outside booths in districts ranging from Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri in the north to Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum and Hooghly in the south.
