New Delhi

Polling for the Assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on Thursday, with West Bengal recording a higher voter turnout of 91.91 per cent in the first phase, compared to 84.80 per cent in Tamil Nadu, according to data released by the Election Commission of India.

The strong turnout reflects robust voter participation, with polling conducted under extensive security arrangements across constituencies in both states.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar commended voters for their enthusiastic participation, describing it as a celebration of democracy. He noted that both states recorded their highest-ever voter turnout since Independence.

In West Bengal, several districts reported turnout figures exceeding 90 per cent. Dakshin Dinajpur topped the list with 94.85 per cent, followed by Cooch Behar (94.54 per cent), Birbhum (93.70 per cent), Jalpaiguri (93.23 per cent) and Murshidabad (92.93 per cent), highlighting consistently high participation across the state.

Tamil Nadu also registered strong numbers across multiple districts, with Karur leading at 92.48 per cent, followed by Salem (90.42 per cent), Dharmapuri (90.02 per cent), Erode (89.97 per cent) and Namakkal (89.63 per cent).

Compared to the 2021 Assembly elections, where West Bengal recorded 85.2 per cent turnout and Tamil Nadu 76.6 per cent, the latest figures indicate a significant rise in voter participation.

In related by-elections, Gujarat’s Umreth constituency recorded a turnout of 59.04 per cent, while Maharashtra’s Rahuri and Baramati constituencies saw voter participation of 55.70 per cent and 57.77 per cent, respectively.

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Polling was held for 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu and 152 constituencies in West Bengal. Voting for the remaining 142 constituencies in West Bengal is scheduled for May 29, while counting of votes will take place on May 4.