Highest turnout since 1947: Bengal sees 92.88% polling, Tamil Nadu 85.15%
Polling has concluded in both states, covering 152 of West Bengal's 294 constituencies in the first phase and all 234 seats in Tamil Nadu, which went to the polls in a single-day contest. Both states are witnessing high-stakes electoral battles, with outcomes expected to significantly shape their political landscape.
West Bengal and Tamil Nadu on Thursday recorded their highest-ever voter turnout since Independence, with polling figures touching 92.88 per cent and 85.15 per cent respectively, according to the Chief Election Commission Gyanesh Kumar. The twin electoral exercises saw heavy participation despite sporadic incidents of violence in parts of Bengal and a closely watched multi-cornered contest in Tamil Nadu.
In West Bengal, the first phase of Assembly elections concluded at 6 pm amid reports of clashes between Trinamool Congress and BJP workers in several pockets. Incidents were reported from Murshidabad, where supporters of Humayun Kabir’s AJUP and TMC workers clashed, and in Dakshin Dinajpur, where a BJP candidate was allegedly assaulted.
Tamil Nadu, voting in a single-phase election, also saw steady participation throughout the day, recording 85.15 per cent turnout before the voting concluded among about 5.67 crore eligible voters on Thursday evening. The state is witnessing a three-cornered contest between the ruling DMK, the AIADMK-BJP alliance and actor Vijay's TVK. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the scale of participation in both states marked a historic high since 1947, describing it as a strong reflection of voter engagement.
All about Tamil Nadu, West Bengal elections:
Chief Election Commissioner of India Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday said West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have recorded their highest-ever voter turnout since Independence. Calling it a significant moment for Indian democracy, he, "Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu since Independence - ECI salutes each voter of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu".
Clashes, allegations of voter intimidation and attacks on candidates, including two BJP candidates, were reported from multiple constituencies in West Bengal, prompting the Election Commission to call for detailed reports even as it maintained that polling remained "largely peaceful".
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said the polling conducted so far in the first phase of the Assembly elections suggested that the Trinamool Congress is already on course to victory. "From my understanding of people's mind, we are already in a position to win given the polling held so far today," Banerjee said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Krishnanagar, congratulated voters in West Bengal for the high turnout in the first phase of polling, describing it as an "overwhelming mandate for change".
"This is the first time in the last 50 years of poll history in West Bengal that incidents of violence were kept at a minimum. The information I have received so far about the record-breaking turnout makes me certain that this is going to be an overwhelming mandate in favour of a change which West Bengal's voters have already decided to bring about," the PM said.
Clashes erupted between supporters of Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) and the ruling Trinamool Congress in Murshidabad, prompting police and central forces to resort to baton charges to disperse the mob. Several vehicles were vandalised during the violence.
A BJP candidate from the Kumarganj Assembly constituency, Suvendu Sarkar, was allegedly assaulted by members of the Trinamool Congress after he rushed to a polling booth, claiming booth jamming.
In Tamil Nadu, Chennai registered 83.09 per cent polling till 7 pm, while in Madurai it was 80.15 per cent, Coimbatore saw 84.40 per cent and the centrally located Tiruchirappalli district witnessed 85.04 percent polling. Kolathur Assembly constituency in Chennai, where DMK President and Chief Minister M K Stalin is contesting, saw 85.63 polling till 6 pm.
Edappadi constituency in Salem recorded a voter turnout of 91.61 per cent. AIADMK general secretary and former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami is contesting from his traditional stronghold, where he faces a challenge from the DMK. Actor Vijay’s TVK has extended support to an independent candidate after its nominee’s papers were rejected during scrutiny on technical grounds.
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has alleged large-scale electoral malpractice in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and criticised the Election Commission for not ensuring adequate transport arrangements for voters.
"House to house, four people are walking and giving Rs 5,000 for one vote. In the Karur Assembly constituency, they are boldly going and giving a half-gram gold coin to a voter. All of this didn't happen in a single day. This money has come from somewhere. It has been hidden somewhere. They have micro-managed it somewhere," Annamalai said.
Sporadic violent incidents were also reported from several polling booths in Tamil Nadu. At Keezhavasal in Madurai and Kalasapakkam in Tiruvannamalai, booth agents engaged in clashes. In one incident, an agent of an independent candidate allegedly damaged a control unit, which was subsequently replaced.
At Tirupattur, a TVK supporter allegedly recorded himself pressing the EVM button in favour of Vijay’s party and circulated the video on social media. He was later arrested by the police. Meanwhile, in several towns and cities including Chennai, Kanchipuram, Namakkal and Krishnagiri, newly married couples turned up at polling stations in their wedding attire and exercised their franchise.