Polling for Assembly elections began on Thursday in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, with voting underway in a single phase for all 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu, while West Bengal is conducting polling for 152 seats in the first phase. The Election Commission has put in place elaborate security arrangements to ensure peaceful voting and prevent any untoward incidents.
VIDEO | Tamil Nadu Polls: Voting delayed at Booth 295 in Thoothukudi’s Duvipuram due to control unit malfunction.#AssemblyPollsWithPTI #TamilNaduPollsWithPTI
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/gsTbDDkWfN
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 23, 2026
In Tamil Nadu, a triangular contest is shaping up between the ruling DMK, the opposition AIADMK alliance, and actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. A total of 5.73 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes in the state, with women voters outnumbering men, while 4,023 candidates are in the fray across constituencies.
#UPDATE : Polling Begins for 152 Seats in First Phase of Bengal Assembly Elections
Polling for the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections began across 152 constituencies under heavy security, marking the start of a crucial electoral battle in the state. Voting started… pic.twitter.com/q8fPS0TuGR
— upuknews (@upuknews1) April 23, 2026
Meanwhile, in West Bengal, a direct contest is underway between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP, with around 3.6 crore voters, including 1.75 crore women, participating in the first phase. Given the history of poll-related violence in the state, police and central forces have been deployed extensively, and webcasting facilities have been arranged at all polling stations for close monitoring, as long queues of voters were seen since early morning and officials anticipate a high voter turnout.