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Robust Voter Turnout: 90% in Bengal, 82% in TN Till 5 PM

West Bengal recorded 89.93% and Tamil Nadu 82.24% voter turnout till 5 PM, breaching previous figures from 2021 elections. The Special Intensive Revision drive did not impact voter enthusiasm, with brisk polling since morning. In West Bengal, 152 constituencies across 16 districts voted in the first phase, while Tamil Nadu saw all 234 constituencies go to polls. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4 to determine the next governments.

Key Points: Bengal, TN See Record Voter Turnout Till 5 PM

  • West Bengal records 89.93% polling till 5 PM
  • Tamil Nadu sees 82.24% voter turnout
  • SIR drive fails to dampen voter enthusiasm
  • Counting of votes scheduled for May 4
2 min read

Robust voter turnout till 5 PM, 90 pc in Bengal and 82 pc in TN​

West Bengal records 89.93% and Tamil Nadu 82.24% voter turnout till 5 PM, breaching 2021 figures. Polling brisk across both states.

"The voting has been brisk in both states since morning. - EC Data"

Kolkata/Chennai, April 23 Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are witnessing robust voter turnout on Thursday. The EC polling estimates that till 5 PM, both states are heading towards record voting percentages.​

Till 5 PM, West Bengal recorded 89.93 per cent polling, while in Tamil Nadu it stood at 82.24 per cent - breaching the previous figures in the 2021 elections, which were 82 and 74 per cent, respectively.​

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive, which had stoked intense controversy ahead of elections, seems to have failed to cast a shadow over the electoral exercise; rather, it has pushed voting percentages to unprecedented levels in both states.​

The voting has been brisk in both states since morning. At 3 PM, West Bengal recorded 78.77 per cent polling, while Tamil Nadu recorded 70 per cent, according to EC data.​

In West Bengal, polling began for 152 assembly constituencies at 7 AM, spread across 16 districts, with long queues at polling stations since morning.​

The 16 districts where polling is being held in the first phase on Thursday are Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, and Malda in North Bengal, and Murshidabad, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, West Burdwan, and Birbhum in South Bengal.​

The second phase of polls in West Bengal for the remaining 142 assembly constituencies will be on April 29. ​​

Polling for the high-stakes Tamil Nadu Assembly elections across all 234 constituencies also began at 7 a.m., with over 5.73 crore eligible voters set to decide the fate of 4,023 candidates in a fiercely contested four-cornered battle.​

The electoral contest primarily features the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), making this one of the most competitive elections in recent years.​

Voting commenced early in the morning, with voters seen queuing up in large numbers at polling booths, reflecting strong public enthusiasm to exercise their democratic right.​

The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, when the electoral verdict will determine the next governments in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.​

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
Impressive numbers from both states. But I'm curious about the SIR drive controversy - can someone explain what this is about? As an outsider, it seems voter enthusiasm has actually increased. Also worried about the second phase on April 29 - hope it's equally peaceful.
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Vikram M
As a Bengali living in Chennai, this makes me proud! Both states showing the rest of India how it's done. The EC deserves credit for smooth conduct despite controversies. But let's not forget - high turnout doesn't automatically mean good governance. Hope voters made informed choices about corruption, development, and local issues. 🤞
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Emma D
Record numbers! Tamil Nadu's 82% is especially impressive given the four-cornered contest. The DMK vs AIADMK rivalry plus new players like Naam Tamilar Katchi clearly got people excited. West Bengal's 90% is phenomenal - shows the electorate is deeply engaged despite political violence concerns. Let's hope May 4 brings stable governments. 👍
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Priya S
Happy to see democracy thriving! But I'm a bit skeptical about these numbers - some constituencies might have inflated figures due to bogus voting. My cousin in Murshidabad said there were some technical glitches with EVMs in the morning. Still, overall a good day for Indian democracy. Need more transparency though.
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Jessica F
The intensity of Indian elections never ceases to amaze me! 90% in Bengal and 82% in TN - countries around the world would dream of these numbers. The SIR drive controversy might have actually helped by making people more aware. Looking forward to May 4 results. Who do you think will win in these

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