Assembly elections LIVE: 82.24 pc turnout in TN at 5 pm; 89.93 pc in Bengal phase I

TN turnout at 82.24 per cent, Bengal phase 1 records 89.93 per cent

Tamil Nadu has recorded 82.24 per cent voter turnout, while the figure stands at 89.93 per cent for West Bengal (phase 1) in the ongoing Assembly elections. 

Brisk voting in TN hints at NDA win, says PMK leader Anbumani

PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday claimed that as the voting proceeds briskly, it indicates signs of change in the government in Tamil Nadu and a victory for the AIADMK-led NDA.

The BJP, PMK, and AMMK were also part of the state's Opposition alliance. "A massive victory for the PMK, the AIADMK, and other alliance partners has become a certainty", he said in a statement.

"Ten months ago, when I started the "Journey to Reclaim the Rights of the Tamil People", I stated that a wave of discontent against the ruling regime was already brewing in Tamil Nadu", Anbumanu said.

"I predicted that this wave would intensify in the coming months, eventually transforming into a tsunami-like force during the elections that would sweep the current government out of power. That is precisely what is unfolding today," he said.

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Watch: PMK's Sowmiya Anbumani votes in Dharmapuri constituency

PMK candidate Sowmiya Anbumani casts her vote at Karnataka Sangh Higher Secondary School in Dharmapuri during the 2026 Assembly elections. Polling is being held in a single phase across Tamil Nadu, with counting scheduled for May 4.

Braille EVMs aid visually impaired voters in Srirangam

Special arrangements in the Srirangam Assembly constituency are enabling visually impaired voters to take part in polling with greater independence. EVMs fitted with Braille features allow voters to navigate the process on their own, while those who need assistance are permitted to be accompanied by a helper.

A visually impaired voter, Chandrasekaran, said, “We came to this polling station to cast our votes,” noting that participation had not always been certain. “A few months ago, we had decided to boycott the election due to the lack of basic facilities,” he said, pointing to earlier concerns.

He added that improvements had influenced their decision. “However, based on the assurances given by the officials, we have now exercised our democratic duty by casting our votes in this election,” Chandrasekaran said, welcoming the changes.

“We express our gratitude to the Election Commission for making these arrangements,” he added, as polling continued with accessible provisions in place.

BJP's Nisith Pramanik dees ‘festive’ turnout, targets TMC

BJP candidate from Mathabhanga, West Bengal, Nisith Pramanik, on Thursday, described a strong voter turnout and upbeat mood in his constituency as polling progressed.

“The way there's a festive atmosphere and enthusiasm among the people, I've never seen such excitement among ordinary voters in any previous election,” he said, adding that even migrant workers had returned to cast their ballots. “Even those who had migrated from here for employment have returned to vote,” he noted.

Pramanik linked the turnout to broader political expectations. “There's tremendous enthusiasm among all the people, which shows that people want Ram Rajya. They want to see a new dawn, a new sunrise in Bengal,” he said.

At the same time, he accused the Trinamool Congress of fomenting unrest. “Wherever TMC is, there's violence. TMC isn't able to win properly, so it's resorting to other means,” he alleged.

He also remarked on poll management, saying, “Compared to last time, the Election Commission has controlled the situation much better this time.”

TMC’s Nandigram candidate alleges attack on polling agents

Trinamool Congress candidate from Nandigram, Pabitra Kar, on Thursday alleged that BJP supporters attacked his party’s polling agents during voting.

“The polling agents had stepped out, that's when BJP goons attacked them,” Kar said, describing the incident. He indicated that the party would take up the matter with election authorities. “A complaint will definitely be filed,” he said.

Reiterating the party’s position, Kar added, “We will certainly lodge a complaint,” as tensions continued in parts of the constituency during polling.

BJP Kumarganj candidate alleges attack, booth agent ouster by TMC

BJP candidate Subhendu Sarkar from Kumarganj, West Bengal, on Thursday alleged that he was injured and his vehicle damaged during an attack in his constituency amid the first-phase polling.

Sarkar said the trouble began with disruptions at several booths. “In the Kumarganj Assembly constituency, our polling agents in 8-10 polling stations were forcibly removed,” he said, adding that he intervened to have them reinstated. According to him, the situation escalated when he visited a booth. “When I visited Booth No. 24 to inspect the situation on the ground, they launched an attack on my entire team and me; they were clearly intent on creating an atmosphere of intimidation and fear...”

He also questioned the role of security forces. “Central Forces were present at the polling station itself--they were inside the premises. But when I arrived on the scene, I was accompanied only by my bodyguard; there was no one else with us,” he said.

Blaming the ruling party, Sarkar added, “Mamata Banerjee has lost the election… Out of sheer desperation and fear, they launched an attack on us.”

The allegations come amid reports of clashes in parts of the state during polling.

TN poll day mix: Glitches, protests, clashes and curiosities

Polling day in Tamil Nadu unfolded with a mix of odd moments, quiet determination and flashes of tension across the state’s 234 constituencies.

At one booth, AIADMK leader and former minister Dindigul C Srinivasan drew attention after reportedly pressing the ‘red light’ on the EVM instead of the voting button, before officials guided him to complete the process. In several districts including Coimbatore, Vellore and Dharmapuri, a robot named “Robo Tina,” styled like a young girl, greeted voters with flowers and chocolates.

Many travelled long distances to vote, returning from cities and even abroad, including Singapore. In Namakkal, a woman said to be 110 years old, Mariaayi, cast her vote and recalled having seen leaders from CN Annadurai to MG Ramachandran. Elsewhere in the district, a bedridden woman was brought in an ambulance, while others with health issues arrived in wheelchairs.

Access challenges were met with improvisation. In Kanyakumari, boats ferried villagers across the Pechiparai dam to polling stations. Yet protests also marked the day. Villagers in Pudukottai boycotted voting over an unresolved contamination incident, while in Nanguneri, a polling station saw no votes for hours in protest over a double murder case. Near Ettayapuram, turnout remained negligible amid a local dispute.

There were scattered clashes between rival booth agents in places like Madurai and Tiruvannamalai, and tension in parts of Salem. In Chennai, a voter alleged her name had been removed despite completing formalities. In Tirupattur, a supporter who filmed himself voting was arrested.

Amid all this, newly married couples in wedding attire turned up at polling stations in cities including Chennai and Kanchipuram, adding a striking visual to a day shaped as much by civic duty as by friction and spectacle.

Migrant rush home for Bengal polls, transport delays threaten votes