Early trends from the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election counting day show a mixed start for actor-turned-politician Vijay, who is contesting from two constituencies — Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East.

Initial rounds of counting indicate that Vijay has taken a lead in the Perambur seat, a key urban constituency in north Chennai. However, he is trailing in Tiruchirappalli East, reflecting a split trend in his electoral debut.

Perambur has traditionally been seen as a politically significant constituency with a strong working-class and lower-middle-class voter base, making it a crucial battleground in the state’s political landscape.

The counting of votes began at 8 am across all 234 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, with the contest witnessing a three-cornered fight between the ruling DMK, the AIADMK alliance, and Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

Vijay’s performance in these two seats is being closely watched, as it is seen as a key indicator of how the newly formed TVK is faring in its first major electoral test. His decision to contest from both Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East had already made these constituencies high-profile contests in the state.

As counting progresses, clearer trends are expected to emerge, which will determine whether Vijay can convert early leads into decisive victories or face setbacks in crucial constituencies.

Counting of votes for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections began at 8 am on Monday, marking a crucial moment for the state’s political future. The outcome will decide whether the ruling BJP secures another term or if the Congress manages to regain ground.

The election covers all 126 constituencies, with counting taking place at multiple centres under tight security arrangements. Initial trends are expected during the day, followed by clearer leads as the process advances.

The contest is being closely watched, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma aiming to return to power, while the Congress-led alliance is seeking to improve its performance in the state.

Exit polls released earlier suggested an advantage for the BJP-led alliance, indicating the possibility of another term for the incumbent government. However, opposition parties have expressed confidence in putting up a strong challenge.

The elections were held on April 9 and recorded significant voter turnout, reflecting strong public participation in the democratic process.

With counting underway, attention remains on key constituencies and overall trends that will determine whether Assam continues with the current leadership or sees a shift in power.

Early trends show tight contest in West Bengal while southern states lean towards DMK and Congress-led alliances

Counting of votes for the 2026 assembly elections began at 8 am across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry, with early trends indicating a mixed political picture across regions.

In West Bengal, initial trends point to a closely fought contest between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, with both sides running neck-and-neck as counting progresses. The state remains one of the most closely watched battlegrounds due to its high-stakes political contest.

Tamil Nadu, however, is showing an early advantage for the DMK-led alliance. The ruling party appears to be holding ground amid a competitive multi-cornered contest, including new political entrants that have added unpredictability to the race.

In Kerala, early counting trends suggest the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is ahead, indicating a possible shift in the state’s traditional alternating power pattern. The contest remains dynamic, with further rounds of counting expected to shape a clearer picture.

Assam and Puducherry are also witnessing steady counting, though clearer trends are still emerging as more rounds of EVM votes are tallied. Across all five regions, counting began with postal ballots before moving to electronic voting machines, following standard election procedures.

The elections, covering a total of 824 seats, are seen as a major political test for national and regional parties alike, with outcomes likely to influence the broader political landscape in the months ahead.