Tamil Nadu sees record 84.6% turnout, West Bengal phase 1 polling crosses 92%
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Tamil Nadu recorded its highest-ever voter turnout in an Assembly election, with 84.6 per cent polling, according to the Election Commission of India, surpassing the previous high of 78.29 per cent in 2011.
Across 234 constituencies, 4,023 candidates are in the fray, with polling held at 75,064 booths. The electorate stands at 5.73 crore.
Chennai also posted strong participation, recording 81.34 per cent turnout by 5 pm. Voting rose steadily through the day, reaching 70 per cent by 3 pm, with districts such as Salem, Namakkal, Karur, Erode, and Tiruppur leading.
The contest centres on the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led alliance, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led NDA, Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, and Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi.
Chief Minister M K Stalin said “Tamil Nadu will win” after voting, while Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed confidence of victory for the AIADMK-BJP alliance. Anbumani Ramadoss said the turnout indicated a desire for change. Vijay sought an extension of polling hours, citing long queues, but Chennai election officer J Kumaragurubaran said all voters in line by 6 pm would be allowed to vote.
There were isolated clashes between party workers in Salem and Coimbatore, and EVM glitches briefly delayed polling in Tiruppur and Namakkal.
Meanwhile, West Bengal recorded a provisional turnout of 92.14 per cent in the first phase of Assembly elections, the highest ever for the state. Polling was held in 152 of 294 seats, with 1,478 candidates contesting across 44,376 polling stations.
The remaining seats will vote on April 29.
The elections are the first since the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which reduced the rolls by 11 per cent, leaving 27.10 lakh electors with pending appeals. Constituencies such as Samserganj, Lalgola, Bhagawangola, Raghunathpur, and Farakka recorded turnout figures above 88 per cent, with some crossing 95 per cent.
Polling took place under heavy security deployment, with around 2.4 lakh personnel, including Central Armed Paramilitary Forces. Special Election Observer Subrata Gupta said voting was largely peaceful with only sporadic incidents.
The Trinamool Congress said the high turnout reflected public resolve, while Home Minister Amit Shah said it signalled the end of the ruling party’s influence.