Polling begins in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal amid tight security, fierce contests

Polling has started in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in high-stakes assembly elections, with intense contests expected in both states. In Bengal, this is the first of the two phases of the polls, with the second phase scheduled on April 29.

In Tamil Nadu, over 5.73 crore voters will decide the fate of 4,023 candidates in the fray for the crucial Assembly elections, amid tight security and a massive crackdown by authorities to curb inducements.

The contest primarily pits the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) against the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Chief Minister M K Stalin is seeking to retain power, while AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami aims to return to office after five years.

Addressing a press conference, Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik said the state is fully prepared. “The total electorate stands at 5.73 crore, including 2.93 crore women, 2.83 crore men, and 7,728 third-gender voters,” she said.

She highlighted that 14.59 lakh first-time voters have been enrolled. Voting will take place across 75,064 polling stations at 33,133 locations, with extensive deployment of EVMs and VVPAT machines, along with adequate reserves to prevent technical issues.

Election authorities have carried out a strong enforcement drive, with seizures and interceptions amounting to ₹1,262 crore, including ₹543 crore in cash and materials. Action has also been taken against digital violations, with 163 FIRs registered and 2,180 URLs blocked. Additionally, 243 clarifications were issued to counter misinformation.

Efforts have been made to ensure accessibility and inclusivity, with model polling stations, all-women “pink” booths, and stations managed by persons with disabilities and youth. Green polling stations are also being piloted in select districts.

Security has been heightened, with 300 companies of Central Armed Police Forces deployed alongside 83,875 state police personnel. A total of 5,949 booths have been identified as highly sensitive.

Polling will be held from morning until 6 pm, after which EVMs will be transported to 62 counting centres. Results will be declared on May 4.

Meanwhile, actor-turned-politician Vijay, founder of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is making his electoral debut, adding to the political buzz.

BJP trying to hold Mamata's record run in Bengal
Voting began on Thursday in 152 constituencies in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, amid unprecedented security arrangements and a high-stakes battle that could shape the direction of the entire contest.

Polling started at 7 am with voters queueing up outside booths in districts ranging from Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri in the north to Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum and Hooghly in the south.

The opening round covers more than half of the state's 294 assembly seats and is being seen as the BJP's best opportunity to make an early breakthrough and the ruling Trinamool Congress' most important test in its bid for a fourth consecutive term.

According to the Election Commission, over 3.60 crore electors are eligible to vote in this phase, including around 1.75 crore women and 465 third-gender voters. A record 2,450 companies of central paramilitary forces, comprising nearly 2.5 lakh personnel, have been deployed across the state for the polls, with over 8,000 polling stations identified as highly sensitive.

The Election Commission has placed districts such as Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, Cooch Behar, Birbhum and Purba Bardhaman under special surveillance. More than 2,193 quick response teams, surveillance units and flying squads have also been deployed to prevent violence and ensure free and fair polling.

The first phase assumes political significance because it includes all 54 seats in north Bengal, the region that powered the BJP's rise in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and helped it emerge as the principal challenger to the TMC in the 2021 assembly polls. Of the 152 seats, the BJP had won 59 in 2021, while the TMC had secured 93.

For the saffron camp, retaining its dominance in north Bengal is crucial if it is to remain in contention in the statewide battle. For the TMC, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, preventing a BJP sweep in the north is equally important to establish momentum before the second round.

This phase is also being closely watched because it comes after the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which resulted in the deletion of around 91 lakh names from the state's voter list.

The controversy has sharply polarised the campaign, with the BJP alleging that the revision weeded out infiltrators and bogus voters, while the TMC has accused the Centre and the Election Commission of disenfranchising genuine electors, especially minorities and migrant workers.

Several high-profile candidates are in the fray in the first phase. Key candidates in this phase include leader of the opposition Suvendu Adhikari (BJP, Nandigram), former Union minister Nisith Pramanik (BJP, Mathabhanga), state minister Udayan Guha (TMC, Dinhata), Goutam Deb (TMC, Siliguri), and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Congress, Baharampur).

The second phase of polling will be held on April 29. Counting of votes will take place on May 4.