Voting Begins for Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026
Mock polling conducted at Chennai High School and Siliguri Girls' High School; counting scheduled for May 4
Quick Look
- Voting for Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 commences today with polls opening at 7 am and closing at 6 pm.
- Tamil Nadu votes in a single phase while West Bengal has two phases (second phase on April 29).
- Main contests are DMK vs AIADMK in Tamil Nadu and Trinamool Congress vs BJP in West Bengal.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are two of India's most politically significant states. Tamil Nadu has been ruled alternately by DMK and AIADMK, while West Bengal has seen Trinamool Congress dominate under Mamata Banerjee since 2011. The 2026 elections are crucial for both parties as they seek to retain or gain power.
New Delhi: Ahead of the voting for Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026 on Thursday, mock polling was held at the Chennai High School. In West Bengal, mock polling was conducted at the Siliguri Girls' High School in Siliguri to ensure that everything is functioning properly.
Polling for the Assembly elections 2026 will begin at 7:00 am in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (Phase 1), and will conclude at 6:00 pm today in both states. The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections are being held in a single phase today, while West Bengal will witness two phases of polling in the Assembly elections 2026, with the second phase scheduled to take place on April 29. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
In Tamil Nadu, the main contest is expected between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which includes the Indian National Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance led by AIADMK with BJP and PMK as allies. Actor-turned-politician Vijay is also set to make his electoral debut with his party TVK, which could turn the contest into a three-way fight.
Meanwhile, West Bengal is set to witness a high-voltage contest between the incumbent Trinamool Congress, which is seeking a fourth consecutive term, and the BJP, which is aiming to form the government after a strong showing in the previous elections. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is aiming for a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP, which secured 77 seats in the previous election, is making a renewed push to form the government in the state.
Meanwhile, polling for by-elections in Gujarat's Umreth and Maharashtra's Baramati and Rahuri is also underway. The counting of the votes for the by-elections will take place on May 4.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Trinamool Congress is likely to retain power in West Bengal but may lose some seats to BJP
Likely · Within weeks
Tamil Nadu election result will be closely contested between DMK-led SPA and AIADMK-led NDA
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will Vijay's TVK impact the traditional two-party dynamics in Tamil Nadu?
- Can BJP breach Trinamool Congress's hold on West Bengal?
- What will be the voter turnout in both states?
