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Assembly Elections Vote Counting: The Election Commission of India will announce the results of the 2026 Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry Assembly elections on May 4 after the counting of votes. These elections were held in several phases over the past few weeks, with vigorous campaigning by all political parties. Many seats saw close contests and good voter turnout.
Counting of votes will begin at 8 a.m. amid tight security. Trends will start coming in within the first few hours, and results for almost all seats will be known by the end of the day.
Initially, the counting starts with postal ballots, which include votes cast by service personnel, election duty workers, and others who were unable to vote directly. Thereafter, the EVMs are counted, with each machine being opened in the presence of officials and representatives of the candidates.
Poll battles in 4 States and a UT
West Bengal: West Bengal, which voted in two phases on April 23 and 29, recorded the highest-ever voter turnout. The state now awaits with bated breath to see whether the ruling TMC, led by CM Mamata Banerjee, manages to hold on to power or the BJP makes a historic breakthrough and claims the state for the first time.
CPI(M) and Congress would also look forward to regaining the lost ground. The poll body has established 77 centres in the state for counting of votes on 293 out of a total of 294 seats, with elaborate security arrangements and a charged political atmosphere.
The EC has announced a repoll in the Falta constituency in South 24 Parganas, citing "severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process during polling in a large number of polling stations".
Assam: In Assam, the battle is between the BJP and Congress as the former, led by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, is looking to retain power. The polls in the state saw weeks of wrangling marked by identity politics, welfare delivery and regional aspirations.
On 126 Assembly seats, 722 candidates contested the elections. The counting of votes will take place across 40 centres in all 35 districts.
As many as twenty-five companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed to guard the counting centres and the strongrooms, housing the EVMs.
The authorities will deploy 800 more unarmed cops to move the EVMs from strongrooms to the counting centres.
The BJP contested on 90 seats while its allies, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodo Peoples' Front (BPF) fought on 26 and 11 seats respectively.
The highest number (99) of seats was contested by Congress. The AIUDF contested 30 seats.
Tamil Nadu: One of the most interesting battles could be seen in Tamil Nadu as this time Vijay's TVK has emerged as a key player, a third front between the ruling DMK and the AIADMK-led NDA.
Elections to 234 Assembly segments were held in the state on April 23. DMK, fighting in coalition with Congress, is led by CM MK Stalin. The party has fought hard to retain power, and its archrival AIADMK has slogged to win power after five years.
TVK's entry has made predictions of victory tough as poll casters have suggested a decent debut for the party.
The poll body has arranged 234 counting halls, deployed approximately 1.25 lakh personnel for counting, which starts 8 AM on Monday.
Kerala: In Kerala, CM Pinarayi Vijayan faces a litmus test to fight anti-incumbency and emerge victorious for the third time. LDF's archrival YDF, led by Congress, is buoyed by its performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and recent local body elections.
It is hoping to oust the LDF from power. However, the BJP's performance would be another interesting aspect to watch for as the party has made significant inroads in the state and is trying to break bipolarity.
The fate of candidates contesting on 140 seats will be decided on Monday.
Puducherry: Puducherry, the only UT which went to the polls this season, is seeing a battle between the ruling BJP and Congress. Pollsters have predicted that the NDA is likely to retain the UT with a clear majority in the 30-member assembly.