Massive voter turnout reported as West Bengal nears 90% and Tamil Nadu surges past 82% by 5 pm
Polling in West Bengal saw strong participation, reaching 89.93 per cent by 5 pm, according to the ECI data. The high participation of voters signals robust engagement across both states. Meanwhile, polling for the 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu and 152 constituencies in West Bengal began amid tight security.
by Zee Media Bureau · Zee NewsA high voter turnout was recorded in West Bengal, with data from the Election Commission of India (ECI) showing 89.93 per cent polling till 5 pm on Thursday. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu registered a voter turnout of 82.24 per cent during the same period.
The high participation of voters signals robust engagement across both states, with several districts in West Bengal crossing the 80 per cent mark well before polling hours conclude at 6 pm.
Polling for the 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu and 152 constituencies in West Bengal began amid tight security this morning. Polling in the remaining constituencies in West Bengal is slated for May 29, and counting of votes will take place on May 4.
West Bengal election 2026
Dakshin Dinajpur led the state with an exceptional 93.12 per cent, followed by Cooch Behar at 92.07 per cent, Birbhum at 91.55 per cent, Murshidabad at 91.36 per cent, and Jalpaiguri at 91.20 per cent. Jhargram (90.53 per cent) and Paschim Medinipur (90.70 per cent) also remained above the 90 per cent threshold, while Bankura recorded 89.91 per cent and Malda 89.56 per cent. Darjeeling, though comparatively lower, still posted a strong 86.49 per cent.
The 16 districts where polling is being held in the first phase on Thursday are Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, and Malda in North Bengal, and Murshidabad, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, West Burdwan, and Birbhum in South Bengal.
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive, which had stoked intense controversy ahead of elections, seems to have failed to cast a shadow over the electoral exercise.
Tamil Nadu election 2026
Karur led the state with 89.32 per cent, followed by Salem at 88.02 per cent, Erode at 87.59 per cent, Dharmapuri at 87.28 per cent, and Tiruppur at 86.33 per cent. Ariyalur recorded 83.09 per cent, Tiruchirappalli 82.76 per cent, and Chennai 81.34 per cent, indicating strong participation.
Meanwhile, in the by-elections, polling also picked up pace by 5 PM. In Gujarat, the Umreth constituency recorded a voter turnout of 54.43 per cent. In Maharashtra, Rahuri saw 50.68 per cent polling, while Baramati reported a slightly higher turnout at 52.44 per cent.
Tamil Nadu witnessed an impressive surge in voter participation with turnout reaching 82.24 per cent by 5 pm, already surpassing the final polling percentage of 73.63 per cent recorded in the 2021 elections.
With polling drawing to a close, authorities are now focused on ensuring the smooth completion of the electoral process.
(with agencies' inputs)
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