On the voting held in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said that this is the highest graph of voting after independence. He said, ‘The highest polling percentage in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu since independence. The Election Commission salutes every voter of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

Highest voting after independence

With 84.69% voting in Tamil Nadu and 91.78% voting in West Bengal (Phase-I), the highest ever voting participation was recorded since independence. Earlier, the highest voting participation was in Tamil Nadu at 78.29% (2011) and West Bengal at 84.72% (2011). In both West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, the share of women in voting is higher than that of men.

‘People voted without fear’

West Bengal CEO Manoj Kumar Aggarwal said, ‘The first phase of voting was completed today. There were 152 assembly seats and 45,000 booths… Voting is still going on at some places, while at some places paperwork is being done and EVMs are being sealed. They will be sent to the strong room. He said, ‘People voted without any fear. I have received reports that they were quite happy with the arrangements and incidents have also reduced. I want to thank all political parties and all concerned for fair and peaceful elections.

According to the data released from the Election Commission, till 6 pm, about 84.64 percent voting was recorded in Tamil Nadu and about 91.74 percent voting was recorded in West Bengal. These figures have clearly indicated that this time voters participated enthusiastically in the democratic process. During the first phase of voting in West Bengal, more than 90 percent voting was recorded in many districts, which is considered a big achievement.

District wise voting figures

According to district-wise data, the highest voting percentage was recorded in South Dinajpur at 94.77 percent, in Cooch Behar 94.40 percent, in Birbhum 93.61 percent and in Jalpaiguri 93.01 percent. Apart from this, 92.22 percent voting took place in Malda, 92.88 percent in Murshidabad, 92.04 percent in North Dinajpur and 91.78 percent in Jhargram. At the same time, in districts like Alipurduar, Bankura, West Medinipur and East Medinipur, the voting percentage remained between 89 to 91. Areas like Darjeeling (88.01 per cent) and Kalimpong (82.93 per cent) recorded relatively lower, but still strong, turnout.

Fate of 1,478 candidates will be decided

Voting in 16 districts of the state will decide the electoral fate of 1,478 candidates, including 167 women, in 152 constituencies of the 294-member state assembly. Voting started at seven in the morning. Despite the scorching heat and humidity, voters were seen standing in large queues outside the polling stations since morning and as time passed, the pace of voting increased. Sporadic incidents of violence in some districts, including attacks on candidates, created tension in the electoral environment of Bengal.

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A high-voltage election contest was witnessed in Tamil Nadu on Thursday (23 April 2026). Voting ended on all 234 assembly seats. During this period, more than 84 percent voting took place. This reflects the strong participation of people in one of the most watched elections in the state in recent years. Despite rising temperatures, long queues of voters were seen in both urban and rural areas.

A new dimension has been added to this contest by Vijay’s TVK, which has contested on all 234 seats. Its aim is to convert its growing popularity, especially among the youth, into electoral advantage. Along with this, Senthamizhan Seeman’s NTK has once again fielded its candidates in all the constituencies. The party is emphasizing Tamil nationalism, environmental issues and an alternative political discourse that attracts a large section of youth and first-time voters.

TVK complained to the state election officer

TVK’s election campaign management general secretary Aadhav Arjun has submitted two separate complaints to the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). In these complaints, he has raised serious questions on the arrangements and alleged irregularities related to the voting process. The first complaint alleges that adequate transport facilities were not provided at bus terminals across Tamil Nadu to voters who wanted to go to their native places to vote.

The complaint states that due to the lack of this arrangement, many people faced difficulty in reaching their polling booths. The names of some senior officers have also been included in it, who have been accused of alleged negligence. TVK has demanded that this matter be investigated and necessary disciplinary action be taken against the responsible officials.

Questions raised on police system

In the second complaint, concern has been expressed about the police system. It has been alleged that some police officers are trying to obstruct the peaceful voting process and they have also been accused of having links with the ruling party. It has also been said in the complaint that such steps may create uneasiness among the voters and may raise questions on the fairness of the voting process.

Furthermore, the TVK has also demanded that any technical glitches at polling stations, especially problems with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), should be immediately rectified or replaced without delay if necessary. The party says that any delay or obstruction in the voting process can affect democratic rights.

Aadhav Arjun has appealed to the Election Commission to take these complaints seriously and take immediate steps, so that voters can get full opportunity to exercise their franchise without any hassle. TVK also said that fair and transparent elections are very important for the strength of democracy.

Political temperature rises due to record voting

The election marked a significant shift from the traditional Dravidian two-party dominance to a multi-cornered contest involving the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), the AIADMK-led NDA, actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVJ) and Seeman’s Nam Tamilar Katchi (NTK). Voting started in full swing in the morning. By 3 pm, the voting percentage had reached almost 70 percent, indicating an overwhelming response from voters. This proved to be one of the highest voting rates in recent elections.

Chief Minister M.K. The ruling DMK, led by Stalin, is hoping to come to power for the second consecutive term on the basis of its welfare schemes and claims of good governance. Of. Palaniswami-led AIADMK is trying to return to power despite challenges from internal factionalism. In such a situation, this election has become an important test of its political relevance.

Also read: Record voting in Bengal-Tamil Nadu for the first time in independent India, know what Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said