West Bengal, Tamil Nadu record highest-ever voter turnout since Independence

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday lauded the voters of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu for the highest-ever voter turnout in both states since independence.

The overall turnout in Tamil Nadu touched a record 85.14 per cent, while West Bengal registered a record voter turnout of 92.72 per cent as of 10.30 pm on Thursday.

In Tamil Nadu, the women participation was recorded at 85.76 per cent as compared to 83.57 per cent for men. In West Bengal, 92.69 per cent of women voters turned up at the polling stations, compared to 90.92 per cent men.

“Highest-ever percentage of polling in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu since Independence. The ECI salutes each voter of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu,” Gyanesh Kumar said after the polls closed.

Strong polling across Bengal

Several districts in West Bengal recorded voter turnout of over 90 per cent. Dakshin Dinajpur led with 94.85 per cent, followed by Cooch Behar at 94.54 per cent, Birbhum at 93.70 per cent, Jalpaiguri at 93.23 per cent, and Murshidabad at 92.93 per cent.

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Bankura also recorded turnout figures hovering around or above 90 per cent, while Malda, Jhargram and Paschim Medinipur reported similar levels. Kalimpong remained relatively lower at around 83 per cent. The figures show consistently high voter participation across the state, with all major districts comfortably above 90 per cent.

Despite the incidents of violence, polling remained largely peaceful compared to previous elections in the state, which have historically been marked by widespread violence.

By 5 pm, the turnout climbed to nearly 90 per cent of the 3.60 crore electorate, with officials indicating the final figure could rise further, possibly bordering 95 per cent, capping a brisk polling day shaped as much by mobilisation as by contestation over the electorate itself.

Long queues at booths, particularly in rural areas, pointed to intense booth-level mobilisation by both the ruling TMC and the BJP in what is being seen as a crucial early test of organisational strength.

Record turnout across Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu also recorded a strong turnout across key districts, with Karur leading at 92.62 per cent, followed closely by Salem at 90.42 per cent, Dharmapuri at 90.02 per cent, Erode at 89.97 per cent and Namakkal at 89.63 per cent.

Five districts fell short of the 80 per cent mark. These include Tirunelveli (77.94 per cent), Nilgiris (78.96 per cent), Sivaganga (76.66 per cent), Ramanathapuram (77.03 per cent) and Kanniyakumari (75.61).

Karur district registered the highest voting percentage of 92.62 among others, while Kanniyakumari district registered the lowest at 75.61.

In Chennai district, Perambur constituency, where TVK chief Vijay is contesting, saw the highest turnout of 89.73 per cent compared to 11 other constituencies in the state capital. The Mylapore assembly constituency registered the lowest at 74.89 in the district.

Voter turnout across key TN seats

Among major cities, Chennai registered 83.73 per cent polling, while Madurai saw 80.55 per cent, Coimbatore 84.76 per cent and Tiruchirappalli district 85.43 per cent polling.

Kolathur Assembly constituency in Chennai, where DMK President and Chief Minister MK Stalin is contesting, saw 86.11 polling till 10.30 pm. At Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, it was 84.34 per cent. Deputy CM and Stalin's son, Udhayanidhi is trying his luck for the second time from this city constituency.

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Edappadi constituency in Salem recorded 92.09 per cent. AIADMK general secretary and former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami is contesting from his traditional turf and is being challenged by the DMK, while actor Vijay's TVK is backing an independent after the party nominee's poll papers were rejected on technical grounds during scrutiny.

In Tiruchirappalli East, where Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief Vijay is contesting, 81.77 per cent polling was recorded till 6 pm. Vijay is also contesting in Perambur constituency in Chennai.

The Karaikudi constituency in Sivaganga district where Seeman of NTK contested, has recorded only 74.55 per cent voter turnout.

High turnout continues trend

In the 2021 Assembly elections, West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 85.2 per cent while Tamil Nadu recorded 76.6 per cent. The numbers reflect an overwhelming voter turnout across districts, reinforcing both states' consistent trend of high electoral participation.

Polling for the 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu and 152 constituencies in West Bengal began amid tight security on Thursday. Polling in the remaining 142 constituencies in West Bengal is slated for April 29, and counting of votes will take place on May 4.

(With agency inputs)