In the first phase of Assembly elections on 23 April 2026, West Bengal recorded a historic voter turnout of 92.72%, the highest since Independence, while Tamil Nadu witnessed a strong turnout of 85.14%. Polling was held in 152 constituencies in West Bengal, whereas all 234 seats in Tamil Nadu voted in a single phase.
Gyanesh Kumar described the turnout in West Bengal as a record achievement, highlighting high public participation. Meanwhile, Narendra Modi termed the turnout an “overwhelming mandate for change”.
The second phase of polling for the remaining 142 seats in West Bengal will be held on 29 April 2026, while vote counting for states including Kerala, Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry is scheduled for 4 May 2026.
