The Election Commission of India (ECI) has commenced the counting of votes for assembly elections that could shape the political landscape in 824 constituencies across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and the union territory of Puducherry. This counting process began at 8 am on May 4, 2026, amidst a robust security framework designed to ensure the integrity and safety of the electoral procedure.

As the counting unfolds, officials are working at various dedicated centres, maintaining a stringent security presence. Such measures have been put in place to monitor proceedings closely and facilitate a smooth counting experience. Early trends indicate an active participation of political agents observing the process at these counting halls.

The final voter turnout has been reported at approximately 82% for West Bengal, 76% for Tamil Nadu, 78% for Kerala, 81% for Assam, and 85% for Puducherry, showcasing a significant engagement from the electorate across these regions.

TMC and DMK+ Show Early Leads

In West Bengal, preliminary results suggest that the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) is in the lead with 93 seats, closely followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has secured 84 seats at this early stage. These figures are evolving and are expected to change as counting progresses throughout the day.

Meanwhile, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK+) alliance is reportedly ahead in Tamil Nadu, leading in 20 seats against the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK+) alliance, which is showing strength in 15 seats. These trends reflect an initial snapshot of voter preferences but should not be considered final until the official counting concludes.

In another significant development, Mamata Banerjee of TMC is reportedly leading from the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency according to early counting trends. This constituency is crucial as Banerjee seeks to reaffirm her political foothold in the region amidst ongoing competition.

Security and Procedural Integrity in Focus

As the counting process unfolds, a three-tier security mechanism has been established, ensuring that all operations are conducted peacefully and transparently. Siliguri’s Commissioner of Police, Syed Waqar Raza, confirmed that all necessary precautions are in place, including frisking and surveillance measures, in order to maintain order during the counting process.

The ECI has also ensured that all counting staff are well-versed in procedural protocols developed to handle various scenarios, including disputed ballots. Personnel have undergone comprehensive training, which has been reinforced with clear guidelines on managing the counting of postal ballots prior to EVM voting tallies, thereby upholding the integrity of the election results.

Among other preparations, the strong rooms containing EVMs are subject to constant surveillance, with electronic voting machines being opened under CCTV oversight. The ECI aims to uphold a rigorously monitored counting environment to mitigate any potential for discrepancies throughout the electoral process.

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