assembly-elections-2026-live-phase-1-polling-begins-in-bengal

Voting at Avadi booth in Chennai delayed by over an hour

https://x.com/i/status/2047259968450257116

BJP goons attacked polling agents: TMC

TMC candidate from Nandigram assembly constituency, Pabitra Kar says, "The polling agents had stepped out, that's when BJP goons attacked them. A complaint will definitely be filed. We will certainly lodge a complaint."

      https://x.com/ANI/status/2047276738397589761

Turnout till 3 PM -

78.77% voting in Bengal.

Tamil Nadu record 70%.

TN polls: DMK functionary argues with police over whistles, calls it TVK party symbol

https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/2047246024054554712

TN Polls: Robot stationed at a polling booth

A robot has been stationed at the polling booth set up at the Government Muslim Higher Secondary School to welcome voters and attract public attention.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047241122918105220

WB Polls: Turnout crosses 62% at 1 pm amid violent clashes

https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/2047238628292940277

WB Polls: BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul’s car was reportedly attacked

https://twitter.com/NewsArenaIndia/status/2047238364450144763

https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/2047238305562108291

AIADMK will win by massive numbers: Dr P Saravanan

AIADMK candidate for the Madurai North constituency, Dr P Saravanan, cast his vote at a polling station in Madurai and said, “I exercised my constitutional duty. You can see how people in large numbers are coming. There is going to be a change in Tamil Nadu and DMK is going to be chased away by people. People-friendly AIADMK, led by our general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami, will bag a massive win. We will win all 10 constituencies in Madurai. Throughout Tamil Nadu, we will win more than 210 seats and we will assume officer after May 4."

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047237986174259231

TMC candidate from Sujapur constituency alleges the Central Forces of disrupting polling:

"The Central Forces are creating problems in a lot of polling booths. Their work is to maintain law and order, but they are checking ID cards. Due to this, voting is going slowly. They think that if people remain standing under the Sun for long, they will return without voting. They intend that there should be less voting. We are filing a complaint."

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047228572906176900

TN Polls - Actor Siddharth casts his vote in Chennai

Actor Siddharth casts his vote in Chennai.

https://twitter.com/NewsArenaIndia/status/2047221978470482028

TN Polls: AIADMK leader Natham casts his vote

AIADMK leader Natham Viswanathan casts his vote in Dindigul.

https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/2047218727389945966

TMC candidate Chandan Mondal faces protests at Booth 234 -

TMC candidate Chandan Mondal faces protests at Booth 234 in Goramahal. Situation brought under control by central forces amid allegations of sloganeering and interference during voting.

https://twitter.com/NewsArenaIndia/status/2047216284417556541

Trying to control the situation in Mushidabad: ASP

ASP Majid Khan says, "We are trying to control the situation."

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047209977635602820

TMC workers indulging in hooliganism: Kabir

"TMC workers indulging in hooliganism and have ‘bought’ police; they are intimidating and threatening voters, EC should take note," says Humayun Kabir.

https://twitter.com/NewsArenaIndia/status/2047212350772789489

AJUP's Humayun Kabir acting as BJP's B team: TMC

"AJUP's Humayun Kabir acting as BJP's B team, trying to create ruckus ahead of his defeat," says TMC spokesperson Anirban Banerjee on clash in Nowda.

https://twitter.com/NewsArenaIndia/status/2047212051823796226

WB Polls: TMC workers smashed car of a worker of AUJP

TMC workers smashed the car of a worker of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP) as a clash broke out between the TMC and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP) party workers in Murshidabad.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047209028024246757

BJP members stage dharna in Chennai claiming DMK influencing voters -

Members of the BJP resorted to a sudden dharna in front of a polling station in Mylapore constituency, protesting against a few DMK members for allegedly attempting to influence voters. The Mylapore BJP candidate and former Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, who rushed to the spot, alleged that a few DMK members boldly displayed that party's Rising Sun symbol and attempted to influence the voters standing in the queue to exercise their franchise.

"They are neither voters nor party agents. These individuals displayed DMK symbol and Chief Minister M K Stalin's photos on their phones. If they think they can get votes by unleashing anarchy, then they will not succeed. Stalin should not think of getting votes by crushing our voice. People are aware of the DMK's rowdyism. We cannot accept it," Soundararajan told reporters and added that there was sufficient proof to substantiate her claims.

Dindigul village residents in TN boycott elections -

Villagers in Dindigul boycott polls in Nilakottai over booth relocation, black flag protest erupts. 

https://twitter.com/NewsArenaIndia/status/2047195019598254174

WB Polls: Suvendu inspects polling booths in Nandigram

West Bengal LoP & BJP Candidate from Nandigram & Bhabanipur, Suvendu Adhikari inspects vulnerable polling booths in Nandigram.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047193374156116116

WB Polls - Humayun Kabir accuses Mamata of 'purchasing' candidates

Aam Janata Unnayan Party chief Humayun Kabir on Thursday alleged the ruling Trinamool Congress bribed several of his party candidates to keep them out of the poll fray.

Kabir, who cast his vote during the early hours of polling, was met with protests from Trinamool Congress supporters who raised "go back" slogans when the leader visited a polling booth in Shibnagar village in Murshidabad's Naoda assembly constituency. The protesters, led by local TMC leaders, surrounded Kabir's vehicle and raised slogans while branding him a "BJP agent". The demonstration sparked tension in the area around the polling station.

EC looking into Vijay’s extending voting hrs request -

ECI says it is looking into TVK Chief Vijay’s representation on extending voting hours because of transport shortages affecting voters.

TN Polls : Choreographer and Director Prabhu Deva cast his vote

Choreographer and Director Prabhu Deva votes in Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections. 

https://twitter.com/NewsArenaIndia/status/2047185386309583141

TN Polls: State BJP President Nainar Nagenthran casts his vote

State BJP President and Sattur Assembly constituency, Nainar Nagenthran casts his vote at a polling station in Tirunelveli.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047186512656404589

TN Polls - Cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, wife Prithi Narayanan arrive to cast vote

Cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin and his wife Prithi Narayanan arrived at a polling station in Chennai to cast their vote.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047181324730208525

WB Polls - Argument between TMC supporters and BJP candidate from Siliguri

An argument broke out between supporters of TMC and BJP candidate from Siliguri assembly constituency, Sankar Ghosh, at Jagadish Chandra Vidyapith, Booth Number-26/237.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047183023964295411

Specially abled cast their votes -

Specially abled voter exercised his democratic right in Chennai.

https://twitter.com/NewsArenaIndia/status/2047179586849669181

WB Polls - EC seeks report on alleged voter intimidation in Domkal

Election Commission on Thursday sought a report from officials over allegations that several people were prevented from casting their votes in Murshidabad district's Domkal during the first phase of the West Bengal assembly polls on Thursday. Several voters in Domkal alleged that they were threatened and intimidated, with some claiming they were warned of assault if they attempted to reach polling stations.

In Raipur village, under the Domkal Assembly constituency, several people claimed that armed people were staying in the area since early morning, creating an atmosphere of fear. The allegations were directed at the ruling TMC, though the party did not immediately respond to the charges.

People also alleged that neither the local police nor the central forces were seen in the area early in the morning. However, the situation improved later in the day after a large police contingent, along with central forces, reached the area.

Please don't miss voting: Actor Prabhu

"Casting a vote is every Indian citizen's right. Please don't miss voting... that's what the service you're doing for the country and for the state... As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, from those days—from MGR, from Kalaignar, from Sivaji, my father—all of them have been in. It's a part and parcel of Tamil Nadu. I wish everyone who is coming in all the best.."

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047179271035310101

WB Polls - Scuffle between TMC workers and AUJP founder Humayun Kabir -

A scuffle breaks out between TMC workers and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP) founder Humayun Kabir in Murshidabad, West Bengal.

He was visiting the area where a crude bomb hurling incident was reported yesterday.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047175759291380223?s=20

TN Polls - Actor Dhanush casts his vote

PHOTO | Tamil Nadu election: Actor Dhanush casts his vote at St Francis Xavier Matriculation School in Alwarpet, Chennai.

https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/2047175752601444693

TN Polls - BJP leader Annamalai casts his vote

BJP leader Annamalai casts his vote in Coimbatore.

https://twitter.com/NewsArenaIndia/status/2047174895927484839

WB Polls - Voting delayed in Mushidabad due to EVM fault, voters angry

Voting delayed at Murshidabad's Raghunathganj Girl's School booth due to EVM malfunction; voters express anger over long wait and lack of replacement machine.

https://twitter.com/NewsArenaIndia/status/2047165549600444891

WB Polls - Voting disrupted amid EVM malfunction claims in Malda -

Voting was disrupted at the Balua Chara High School booth in the Mothabari constituency as the sector officer absconded amid a reported malfunction of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). Malda has been a hotbed of politics in the run-up to the elections.

Approximate voter turnout in WB, TN polls till 9 am -

Tamil Nadu - 17.69% West Bengal (phase 1) - 18.76%

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047165878572396567

WB Polls - BJP's Asansol Dakshin candidate Agnimitra casts vote

BJP candidate from Asansol Dakshin Assembly constituency, Agnimitra Paul, cast her vote on Thursday during the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections and expressed confidence in the party's performance.

"We are sure that the people of Bengal will vote for the BJP... They are determined to remove TMC, who is a disgrace to the CM's chair and voters."

TN Polls - CM MK Stalin, DyCM Udhayanidhi Stalin cast vote

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, along with his son, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin and other family members, cast vote at a polling station in Chennai on Thursday. Stalin is contesting from his bastion, the Kolathur Assembly constituency. Stalin, faces a serious multi-cornered challenge from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's (TVK) VS Babu and AIADMK's P Santhana Krishnan, along with NTK's Soundara Pandian Louther Seth.

Kharge urges voters in Bengal to follow Constitution -

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday urged the people of West Bengal to vote in large numbers and ensure that the ideals of democracy, social justice, equality, and freedom remain intact. In a post on X, Kharge said, “As West Bengal votes in the first phase of Assembly elections today, I sincerely urge all citizens to step out and participate in large numbers. Do not be deterred by forces that seek to discourage you. Your vote is your voice, and it must be resoundingly heard.” “West Bengal is the proud land of great leaders who stood for Democracy, social justice, equality, and freedom. We need to ensure those ideals remain intact. I make a special appeal to the first-time voters – exercise your right with conviction and help ensure that true development reaches every corner of the state. Jai Hind. Jai Bangla,” Kharge said in his post.

WB Polls - Int'l delegates welcomed at the polling stations

International delegates as part of #IEVP2026 and ECI Representative welcomed at the Polling stations of Paul Choudhury Tribal Hindi High School in Matigara of Darjeeling district of West Bengal.

https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/2047153936138973519?s=20

WB Polls - Cong leader claims fault in EVM, says officers 'unable' to fix it

"EVM was malfunctioning, polling officer was unable to fix it," says Congress candidate Sanjoy Adhikari in Birbhum assembly.

https://twitter.com/NewsArenaIndia/status/2047154857568784663

TN Polls - AIADMK leader M R Vijayabaskar casts vote

AIADMK leader M R Vijayabaskar casts vote in Karur, says 'AIADMK will form government'.

https://twitter.com/NewsArenaIndia/status/2047155001584386448

TN Polls - Kamal Haasan casts a vote, says ‘confident’ of coming into second term

MNM chief and actor Kamal Haasan, along with his daughter Shruti Haasan, show their inked fingers after casting their votes. On being asked, how confident is he of a second term, Kamal Haasan says, "Yes".

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047154192821956880

TN Polls - CM and DMK candidate MK Stalin arrives to cast his vote

amil Nadu CM and DMK candidate from Kolathur, MK Stalin arrives at a polling station in Chennai to cast his vote. He is accompanied by his son and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047155553965875472

TN Polls - Rajinikanth casts his vote

Superstar Rajinikanth casts his vote at Stella Maris School, in Chennai.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047153043825909960

WB Polls - Suvendu Adhikari casts his vote

State LoP & BJP Candidate from Nandigram & Bhabanipur, Suvendu Adhikari casts his vote at a polling station in Nandigram. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is contesting against him from the Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047144275528556837

TN Polls - Kamal Hassan, daughter cast vote

Actor and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan and his daughter Shruti Haasan arrive to cast vote.

https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/2047146167893639501?s=20

WB polls - "Polling should be held peacefully," says BJP's Suvendu Adhikari

Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Nandigram & Bhabanipur Assembly Constituencies, Suvendu Adhikari, on Thursday called for peaceful polling as voting got underway in West Bengal during the first phase of Assembly elections. Adhikari said, "We are Hindus, we are Sanatanis. I offered prayers, offered a 'naman.' I spoke to polling agents of my constituency...Polling should be held peacefully."

TN polls -

Congress leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday cast his vote at a polling station in Karaikudi, Sivaganga, and urged the youth to vote for an alliance that represents secularism and progress in Tamil Nadu.

TN polls -

TVK Chief Coordinator KA Sengottaiyan casts vote in Gobichettipalayam.

Vijay arrives to vote -

Vijay, TVK Chief and candidate from Tiruchirappalli East and Perambur constituencies, arrives to cast his vote.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047147814304846078?s=20

PM Modi appealed to voters -

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday appealed to the people of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal to "enthusiastically" take part in the voting for the Assembly elections in their states. Modi especially urged the youth and women of the two states to vote in record numbers.