The counting process for the 2026 assembly elections is underway across five crucial regions: West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The counting began today at 8:00 am, starting with postal ballots, followed by Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) counting at 8:30 am. Results will be updated live on ECINET and the Election Commission’s official portal.
BJP Confident of Majority in West Bengal
West Bengal is the focal point of attention as tensions ran high in the final hours before counting. Suvendu Adhikari, a BJP leader, offered prayers at the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, expressing faith in the party’s victory. He stated, “A government that protects the interests of Sanatan Dharma is coming.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims to unseat the Trinamool Congress (TMC), with leaders predicting significant changes. In contrast, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh assured that Mamata Banerjee would return comfortably, projecting the party would win over 200 seats. However, Ghosh raised concerns about the arrangements for counting agents, citing inadequate facilities.
Security Concerns and Repolling in West Bengal
Mamata Banerjee called for vigilance amongst party workers, alleging unusual power cuts and activity near strong rooms. Compounding these issues, the Election Commission ordered repolling in all 285 booths of the Falta constituency due to “severe electoral offences.” This decision faced criticism from various parties, with TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee demanding accountability. In response, BJP leaders labeled the move as evidence of an Opposition “ego.”
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi criticized the situation, stating, “Despite over 250,000 central security forces deployed, repolling indicates a failure on part of the Election Commission.” Security remained tight in Kolkata as senior CRPF officials monitored the strong rooms.
Intense Competition in Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, the electoral landscape is still tense, though somewhat predictable. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) coalition is expected to retain power, bolstered by high voter turnout and positive exit polls. Girish Chodankar, overseeing Congress operations in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, expressed confidence in the alliance’s success, stating, “We believe our DMK alliance will form the government and create history in Tamil Nadu.”
Counting Arrangements and Security Measures
Counting arrangements have been meticulously organized in the state. In Ranipet, the counting process is being conducted at Arignar Anna Government Women’s Arts College, where EVMs are sorted by constituency. The Election Commission implemented a three-tier security system, along with QR code identification to restrict access to sensitive areas.
BJP’s Governance Record in Assam
In Assam, where the BJP currently holds power, the party is banking on its governance record to secure another term. The party’s efforts will be closely watched as results emerge from various regions, including the overall dynamics of the elections in Kerala and Puducherry.
As the counting proceeds, all eyes are on the unfolding events, with implications for major political shifts in the regions involved.
