Tamil Nadu recorded 85.11% turnout across all 234 seats and West Bengal's phase 1 in 152 constituencies saw 92.35%, marking historic highs. The Election Commission described polling as largely peaceful, though sporadic violence occurred in parts of Bengal. High turnout persisted despite electoral roll reductions from Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal on April 23, 2026, saw record voter turnout. Tamil Nadu recorded 85.11% by 11 pm, with 48.8 million out of 57.3 million electors voting—the highest in state history, surpassing 2021's 78.29%. Provisional figures from the Election Commission of India (ECI) confirmed over 4.85 crore voters by 8 pm.
West Bengal's phase 1 across 152 constituencies achieved 92.35% turnout, translating to 33.2 million out of 36 million electors—the highest since at least 2011. Despite 11.6% deletions from Special Intensive Revision (SIR), areas like Murshidabad saw over 96% polling even after heavy deletions. ECI Chief Gyanesh Kumar saluted the voters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated at a rally, "As far as I know, the polling rate is surpassing all records... BJP’s victory is certain." West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed, "From the votes that have been polled I can say we have already won."
In Tamil Nadu, actors Ajith Kumar, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and others voted early. Chief Minister M K Stalin, his son Udhayanidhi, AIADMK's Edappadi Palaniswami, and Vijay cast ballots. Polling was peaceful in Tamil Nadu, while West Bengal saw sporadic clashes in Murshidabad, Dakshin Dinajpur, Asansol, and Cooch Behar, with no serious injuries reported.
