Phase 1 polling sees brisk participation, clashes in Murshidabad, EVM glitch complaints, and high political stakes in both states.
New Delhi: Polling for Assembly elections was underway in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu on Thursday, with voter turnout reaching 41.1% in West Bengal and 37.5% in Tamil Nadu by 11 am, according to data from the Election Commission of India.
Voting began at 7 am and is scheduled to conclude at 6 pm. While Tamil Nadu is voting across all 234 constituencies in a single phase, West Bengal is holding polling in 152 of its 294 seats in the first phase, with the remaining constituencies set to vote on April 29.
The high-stakes election in West Bengal will determine whether Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee secures a fourth consecutive term or the Bharatiya Janata Party manages to form a government in the state for the first time. Over 3.6 crore voters, including around 1.75 crore women, are eligible to vote in this phase.
Polling in West Bengal witnessed sporadic incidents of tension. In Murshidabad district, a scuffle broke out between workers of the All India Trinamool Congress and Aam Janata Unnayan Party founder Humayun Kabir, who alleged that Trinamool workers tried to prevent him from visiting a polling area. The confrontation reportedly followed an earlier incident in which a crude bomb was hurled, injuring a woman. The Election Commission has sought a report from district authorities on the incident.
Separately, Congress candidate Sanjoy Adhikari alleged an electronic voting machine malfunction in Suri, stating he was unable to cast his vote despite reaching the polling station early. He said that the issue caused delays, with voters waiting in queues, and urged authorities to extend polling hours or consider re-polling if the problem persists.
Despite isolated disruptions, election authorities said polling arrangements were largely smooth. International delegates visiting polling stations in Darjeeling described the process as “wonderful… systematic, very well managed,” according to the Election Commission.
The elections are being held amid significant revisions to electoral rolls. In West Bengal, nearly 91 lakh names—about 11.9% of the electorate—were removed during a special intensive revision, with around 27 lakh appeals against exclusions still largely pending. In Tamil Nadu, more than 74 lakh names were removed from voter lists.
The Supreme Court has directed that tribunal decisions on voter inclusion or deletion must be reflected in final electoral rolls within specified deadlines.
Security has been heightened, particularly in West Bengal, where around 2.4 lakh Central Armed Police Forces personnel have been deployed, and over 8,000 polling stations have been marked as sensitive.
Political rhetoric has also intensified. The Trinamool Congress urged voters to support its “Maa, Mati, Manush” slogan, calling for participation without fear. Meanwhile, BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul said voters were determined to “remove” the ruling party, describing the election as a decisive moment for the state.
Votes for both states will be counted on May 4, along with results from Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, where polling concluded earlier.
