New Delhi: Vote counting for the 2026 Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry commenced at 8 AM on Monday with postal ballots, followed by Electronic Voting Machine counting at 8:30 AM across 77 counting centres in West Bengal and corresponding centres in the remaining states. By midday, trends had crystallised across all five territories.
WEST BENGAL 294 SEATS | MAJORITY MARK: 148
Current Trends (ECI, 12:30 PM IST): BJP-NDA: 181 | TMC: 92 | Others: 21
The Bharatiya Janata Party crossed the 148-seat majority threshold in West Bengal trends by late morning, leading in 181 seats against the Trinamool Congress’s 92, according to Election Commission of India data. The BJP’s figure represents a gain of more than 100 seats from the 2021 election, in which the TMC had won 215 seats and the BJP had been held to 77.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who contested from both the Bhabanipur and Nandigram constituencies, attributed the result to what he described as “Hindu consolidation” in the state.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu offered congratulations to the NDA alliance on X, stating, “NDA’s victory today reflects the people’s continued and growing confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji and his vision for Viksit Bharat.”
Bhabanipur Constituency — Key Contest: Round 2 of counting showed Adhikari leading Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by 1,558 votes. By 12:11 PM, ECI data showed Banerjee leading Adhikari by 19,393 votes, indicating significant round-by-round fluctuation. Final declaration of the Bhabanipur result was pending as of this report. Adhikari was simultaneously leading from Nandigram. Congress veteran Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was trailing in the Baharampur constituency in Murshidabad.
Security and Counting Incidents: Kolkata Police banned victory processions, rallies and public celebrations on counting day. A physical confrontation broke out between TMC and BJP counting agents at the Barrackpore counting centre. TMC workers allegedly attempted to force entry into the counting centre in Haldia ahead of counting. Gunmen attacked the residence of BJP Barrackpore organisational district secretary Kundan Singh in the Noapara area at approximately 12:05 AM on Sunday, according to CCTV footage reviewed by authorities. Two suspects arrived by motorcycle, opened fire and fled the scene.
Prior to counting, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed to TMC supporters to remain vigilant, alleging deliberate power outages at Serampore, Krishnanagar, Ausgram and the Kshudiram Anushilan Kendra in Kolkata. The BJP did not respond to the allegation on record.
The 2026 West Bengal election recorded a voter turnout of 92.47%. The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which resulted in the deletion of approximately 91 lakh names from the voter list, remained under judicial scrutiny during the campaign period. The BJP maintained the revision eliminated illegal entrants; the TMC alleged it disenfranchised genuine voters.
Falta Note: The Falta constituency is excluded from today’s counting following confirmed procedural breaches. A repolling is scheduled for May 21, with results on May 24.
KERALA — 140 SEATS | MAJORITY MARK: 71
Current Trends (ECI, 12:30 PM IST): UDF (Congress-led): 97 | LDF (CPM-led, ruling): 37 | NDA (BJP+): 3–6
The Congress-led United Democratic Front surpassed the 71-seat majority mark and was leading in 97 constituencies, against the ruling Left Democratic Front’s 37. The LDF, which won 99 seats under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in 2021 against the UDF’s 41, was trailing substantially across Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Thrissur districts.
Congress MP Jebi Mather told reporters ahead of counting, “UDF will form government in Keralam. Election results will reflect the wishes of the people.”
Kerala recorded a voter turnout of 79.63%. The NDA was leading in 3 to 6 seats, primarily in the Thiruvananthapuram district.
TAMIL NADU — 234 SEATS | MAJORITY MARK: 118
Current Trends (Republic World / ECI, 12:30 PM IST): TVK (Vijay): 110+ | DMK-led Alliance (ruling): 58 | AIADMK-NDA: 27+ | Others: Remaining
Tamil Nadu produced the election cycle’s most significant departure from projections. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), founded by actor-turned-politician Vijay and contesting its first state Assembly election, was leading in over 110 constituencies, including all 16 constituencies in Chennai. The ruling DMK, which had won 159 seats in 2021, was leading in 58 seats at midday.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was trailing by 886 votes in the Kolathur constituency, according to Republic World trends. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s seat was also facing a difficult count.
TVK leader Vijay was in discussions with political strategist John Arokiasamy regarding post-poll alliance options in the event a complete majority was not secured, according to party sources. IPS officers arrived at TVK headquarters ahead of final results.
Tamil Nadu recorded a voter turnout of approximately 85.1%.
ASSAM — 126 SEATS | MAJORITY MARK: 64
Current Trends (ECI, 12:30 PM IST): BJP-NDA: 88+ | Congress-led Alliance: 28+ | AIUDF / Others: Remaining
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance was leading in 88 or more seats in Assam, well above the 64-seat majority threshold, placing Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s government on course for a third consecutive term. The Congress-led alliance was leading in 28 or more seats. Assam recorded a voter turnout of approximately 85.38%.
PUDUCHERRY — 30 SEATS | MAJORITY MARK: 16
Current Trends (ECI, 12:30 PM IST): NDA (NRC-led): 17+ | INC+ (Congress-DMK): 9+ | TVK+ / Others: 3 – 4
The NDA was leading in 17 or more seats in the 30-member Puducherry Legislative Assembly, crossing the 16-seat majority threshold. The Congress-DMK alliance was leading in 9 or more seats. Puducherry recorded a voter turnout of approximately 89.87%.
Editorial Note: All seat figures reflect live Election Commission of India trends as of 12:30 PM IST on May 4, 2026. Trends do not represent formally declared results and are subject to revision as additional counting rounds are completed. Results for the Falta constituency in West Bengal will be declared separately on May 24, 2026, following a scheduled repolling on May 21.
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