Assembly elections 2026: Tamil Nadu, West Bengal record highest voter turnout since Independence

Mangalore Today News Network

Chennai/Kolkata, Apr 24, 2026: The Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and the first phase of polling in West Bengal on Thursday recorded their highest voter turnout since Independence, according to the Election Commission.

Tamil Nadu registered an impressive 85.11 per cent turnout for the election to its 17th Assembly, while West Bengal recorded 91.78 per cent polling in 152 constituencies during the first phase, with nearly 3.60 crore voters casting their votes.

However, in absolute terms, Tamil Nadu’s turnout was not entirely unprecedented, as only 22 lakh more voters participated compared to the 2021 Assembly elections. The state usually sees an increase of around 30 lakh votes in every Assembly election. Officials attributed the higher percentage partly to the deletion of over 70 lakh names during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Around 4.90 crore voters are estimated to have exercised their franchise in Tamil Nadu this year. Karur district recorded the highest turnout at 92.54 per cent, followed by Salem (90.72 per cent), Dharmapuri (90.14 per cent), Erode (90.10 per cent), and Namakkal (90 per cent).

In contrast, southern districts such as Tenkasi, Madurai, and Tirunelveli witnessed comparatively lower polling. Sivaganga recorded the lowest turnout at 76.58 per cent, while Chennai surprised with a historic 83.72 per cent turnout, significantly higher than its usual voting pattern.

Officials said the final polling percentage may still change.

In West Bengal, more than 92 per cent of the 1.75 crore women voters and over 90 per cent of the 1.84 crore male voters cast their ballots across 16 districts in the first phase.

The remaining 142 constituencies in the state will go to the polls in the second phase on April 29.