Tamil Nadu Records 82.24% Voter Turnout Till 5 PM; ‘CM Stalin Will Come to Power,’ Says DMK Candidate OPS; TVK Flags Lack of Transport for Voters

Tamil Nadu recorded a robust 82.24 per cent voter turnout by 5 pm on Thursday in the single-phase Assembly elections, with polling remaining largely peaceful across the state’s 234 constituencies. The Election Commission reported steady queues at urban and rural booths alike, though opposition parties raised logistical concerns.

Stellar Turnout Across Constituencies

Polling began at 7 am and continued uninterrupted. By 3 pm, the state had registered 70 per cent voting, which climbed sharply to 82.24 per cent two hours later. Chennai city trailed slightly with 54.58 per cent polling till 1 pm, but officials expect final numbers to cross 75 per cent after evening voting.

OPS Confident of DMK’s Return

Former Chief Minister and DMK candidate from Bodinayakkanur, O. Panneerselvam, expressed full confidence in his alliance’s performance. “The people have backed development and stability. Chief Minister Stalin will come back to power with a strong mandate,” Panneerselvam said after casting his vote. His statement signals DMK’s aggressive bid to retain control amid a multi-cornered contest.

TVK Submits Transport Complaint

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) General Secretaries N. Anand and Aadhav Arjuna met Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik on Thursday afternoon. They submitted a petition highlighting inadequate public transport to polling stations, especially in Chennai’s peripheral areas.

Earlier, TVK chief and actor Vijay had written to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding two-hour extension of polling hours and immediate bus services for voters stranded at city terminals. The EC has not yet responded formally.

Celebrities and Elderly Lead by Example

Actor Rajinikanth cast his vote at a Chennai booth alongside wife Latha Rajinikanth. Kamal Haasan and Shruti Haasan were also seen exercising their franchise. In Coimbatore, a robot named ‘Tina’ dressed in traditional attire welcomed voters and offered sweets at Government Arts College.

An 85-year-old specially abled voter, Kandasamy, cast his ballot in Karur. A 110-year-old woman also turned up at her local polling station, underscoring high enthusiasm among senior citizens.

EVM Glitches and Security Arrangements

An EVM malfunction at an Avadi booth delayed voting by over an hour. Officials replaced the machine swiftly. Chennai Police Commissioner Abhin Dinesh Modak confirmed deployment of over 28,000 personnel, including Home Guards. “No untoward incident reported so far,” he said.

Visually impaired voter Chandrasekaran thanked the Election Commission for braille-enabled EVMs and wheelchair access. “We had planned a boycott but voted after officials assured improvements,” he told reporters.

What Next in Tamil Nadu Elections 2026

Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. With turnout crossing 82 per cent, political analysts expect a keen contest among DMK-led alliance, AIADMK, BJP, and TVK. The EC will release final turnout figures after postal ballot inclusions. Transport concerns raised by TVK may lead to formal show-cause notices to district officials.

As Tamil Nadu awaits results, the high participation signals strong public engagement in the democratic process. Officials urge voters to verify their names on electoral rolls before the next phase of national elections later this year.

The Assembly Election 2026 LIVE developments indicate a strong voter turnout across key states, with West Bengal recording 78 per cent polling and Tamil Nadu touching 70 per cent by 3 pm on Thursday. Voting is underway for 152 seats in the first phase in West Bengal, while Tamil Nadu is polling across all 234 constituencies in a single phase.

Officials described the turnout as “significant”, reflecting strong voter participation despite reports of disruptions from multiple districts.

Violence in Bengal

Polling day in West Bengal witnessed sporadic violence, particularly in South Midnapore district. BJP candidate Suvendu Sarkar from the Kumargram constituency was allegedly attacked by a group of people while campaigning near a polling booth.

Visuals circulating online show Sarkar attempting to flee as his security personnel tried to shield him. Despite this, the crowd reportedly caught up and assaulted him. Local authorities have not issued a detailed statement, but sources indicated that security deployment has been intensified in the area.

Attack on candidate

In another incident, BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul from the Asansol South seat reported an attack on her vehicle in the Rahmatnagar area of Burnpur. According to her account, unidentified individuals pelted stones at her car as she was leaving a polling station.

The rear windshield of the vehicle was damaged. Paul later approached the Hirapur police station and lodged a formal complaint. Police officials confirmed receiving the complaint and said an investigation is underway.

Clashes reported widely

Several districts in West Bengal reported clashes between workers of the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). These incidents, though localised, added to tensions on polling day.

According to officials, security forces intervened in multiple areas to disperse crowds and maintain order. No large-scale disruption of voting has been reported so far, but authorities are monitoring sensitive booths closely.

EVM glitches surface

Apart from violence, complaints regarding malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) emerged from several polling stations in both states. Voters in parts of West Bengal alleged delays due to faulty machines, leading to temporary interruptions.

Election officials acknowledged the complaints and said replacement machines were deployed promptly to ensure minimal disruption. Similar reports were also noted in Tamil Nadu, though officials maintained that polling continued smoothly overall.

Tamil Nadu polling

Tamil Nadu witnessed relatively peaceful polling compared to West Bengal, with steady voter turnout reported across urban and rural constituencies. Voters queued up since early morning, with participation remaining consistent through the day.

Election authorities credited extensive logistical planning and security arrangements for the orderly conduct of polling. No major incidents of violence were reported as of the latest updates.

What lies ahead

The Assembly Election 2026 LIVE coverage will continue to track polling completion, voter turnout revisions, and any late-day incidents. Counting of votes is expected to take place in the coming days, following the conclusion of all phases.

Political observers note that the high turnout could play a decisive role in shaping outcomes in both states. For now, authorities remain focused on ensuring peaceful completion of voting and addressing complaints swiftly.

Murshidabad Tense as Humayun Kabir Stages Sit-In After Clash

AJUP chief alleges police high-handedness during voting

Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief Humayun Kabir on Thursday staged a sit-in protest in Murshidabad’s Naoda area following a violent clash with Trinamool Congress workers, as West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 41.11 per cent till 11 am in the first phase of Assembly elections.

Clash Erupts During Morning Hours

Trouble broke out when Kabir arrived at the spot to assess the situation after a crude bomb was hurled late Wednesday night. Stones were pelted from both sides as TMC workers confronted the AJUP leader. Police and CRPF personnel rushed to control the enraged crowd.

Speaking to this portal, Kabir alleged that police were acting in a heavy-handed manner against his supporters. He claimed his party workers were being assaulted unnecessarily. The AJUP chief also asserted that clashes had broken out between BJP and TMC workers in Siliguri during polling.

EVM Glitches and Other Disturbances

Technical issues disrupted voting across multiple constituencies. Reports confirmed EVM malfunctions in Behrampore’s Kandi block, Malda’s Chanchal constituency, and Alipurduar’s Kalchini area. Each machine was replaced after brief delays.

In Uttar Dinajpur’s Chopra block, three women were allegedly assaulted by CRPF personnel. One woman reportedly sustained head injuries near Booth No. 163. Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the matter.

Suvendu Adhikari Raises Allegations

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari cast his vote around 8 am at Booth No. 70 in Nandigram. He alleged that a Booth Level Officer was using her mobile phone to influence voters in favour of TMC. Adhikari said he intervened and asked her to stop immediately.

The Leader of the Opposition also claimed that a murder accused was threatening voters in the region. He asserted his fight was against TMC “goons” and not any religious community. BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul echoed similar sentiments, calling the ruling party a “criminal and goon party”.

Voter Turnout and Peaceful Spots

Despite the trouble in Murshidabad, long queues formed peacefully in Birbhum, Asansol, and Medinipur. An 88-year-old voter, Kalyani Mahato, praised the improved polling arrangements this year. Elderly and differently-abled voters turned out in large numbers across most districts.

By 9 am, Bengal had recorded 18.76 per cent voting. Tamil Nadu saw 37.56 per cent turnout by 11 am for its single-phase polling. High alert was declared in Bihar’s Kishanganj, Purnia and Katihar districts along the Bengal border due to cross-border voter movement.

Political Background and What Next

West Bengal is voting across 152 seats in this first phase. The primary contest remains between TMC and BJP. Mamata Banerjee seeks a fourth consecutive term, which would make her the first woman in India to achieve that feat. The remaining 142 seats go to polls on 29 April. Results will be declared on 4 May.