Voting in the 2026 Assembly elections picked up pace across both Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, with strong voter participation recorded by late morning.
In Tamil Nadu, voter turnout reached 37.56% by 11 AM, according to the Election Commission of India. The capital Chennai recorded 35.47%, while Kumarapalayam in Namakkal district led with 45.87%. Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli reported the lowest turnout at 30.73%.
Tamil Nadu: High Engagement, Logistical Concerns
The state, voting in a single phase, saw early participation from key political leaders and public figures. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin voted in Chennai along with Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, while AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami cast his vote in Salem.
Actor-politician Vijay, along with Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, and Ajith Kumar, were among early voters, drawing crowds at polling booths.
Vijay also wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner, raising concerns over transport disruptions that left voters stranded in cities like Chennai. He urged immediate intervention and requested that polling hours be extended till 8 PM, citing long queues and delays.
Political reactions through the morning reflected confidence across parties. Congress leader Karti Chidambaram called voting both a right and responsibility, while DMK leader A. Raja projected a strong mandate for the ruling alliance. BJP’s K. Annamalai appealed for higher turnout despite the heat.
West Bengal: Phase 1 Sees Stronger Turnout
In West Bengal, Phase 1 polling across 152 constituencies in 16 districts recorded over 41% voter turnout by 11 AM, indicating even higher engagement levels than Tamil Nadu in the same time window.
The election covers around 3.6 crore voters in this phase, with a closely contested battle expected in several constituencies. The remaining phases will follow, with the next round scheduled later this month.
Ground reports indicated long queues at polling stations, alongside sporadic disruptions. An unusual moment was reported in Jhargram, where an elephant briefly appeared near a polling booth, causing a short disturbance before moving away without incident.
There were also complaints of EVM malfunction in Suri, where a candidate alleged delays in voting and urged authorities to either extend polling hours or consider corrective measures if issues persist.
In Murshidabad, tensions were reported between workers of rival political groups, highlighting the sensitive nature of polling in certain pockets.
