Morning polling sees moderate participation as voters head to booths across key states

Polling in the ongoing Assembly elections showed steady participation in the early hours on Thursday, with both Tamil Nadu and West Bengal recording moderate voter turnout by 9 am.

According to initial data released by election authorities, Tamil Nadu registered a turnout of around 17.7%, while West Bengal slightly edged ahead with approximately 18.8% in the same period.

Voting began at 7 am across polling stations, and officials expect the turnout to rise significantly as the day progresses, a pattern typically seen in Indian elections.

Tamil Nadu votes in single phase

Tamil Nadu is conducting polling across all 234 Assembly constituencies in a single phase. Early trends indicate a gradual but steady flow of voters, with participation likely to increase during the later hours of the day.

Several prominent personalities were among early voters, encouraging public participation and highlighting the importance of the democratic process.

Bengal phase 1 polling underway

West Bengal is witnessing polling across multiple constituencies in the first phase of its Assembly elections. The early turnout suggests an active start, with voters turning up in noticeable numbers despite the morning hours.

Turnout expected to rise through the day

Election officials have indicated that turnout figures in the morning are usually conservative, with a sharper increase expected in the afternoon and evening. Weather conditions, local factors, and voter mobilisation efforts often influence the final turnout percentage.

The elections are being closely watched due to the high political stakes in both states, with major parties competing intensely for control.

The Election Commission has issued a notice to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his controversial remark referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “terrorist” during an election campaign.

Taking serious note of the statement, the poll body has asked Kharge to submit his response within 24 hours, highlighting concerns over the language used in public campaigning.

BJP complaint triggered action

The development comes after the Bharatiya Janata Party approached the Election Commission, alleging that the remark violated the Model Code of Conduct. The party described the comment as derogatory and sought strict action against the Congress leader.

A delegation of BJP leaders also met the poll panel, stressing that such statements undermine the standards of political discourse during elections.

Kharge’s clarification

Following the controversy, Kharge clarified that his remarks were being misinterpreted. He said he did not intend to call the Prime Minister a terrorist but was referring to what he described as “terrorising” political opponents through the use of central agencies.

Rising political tensions

The episode has further escalated tensions between the ruling party and the opposition amid an ongoing election season. Leaders across the political spectrum have reacted strongly, with criticism and counter-criticism intensifying the debate around campaign rhetoric.

The Election Commission’s intervention underscores its attempt to maintain decorum and enforce campaign norms as political activity intensifies across states.

Authorities have intensified their investigation into the recent workers’ protest in Noida, with a social media network known as “X Storm” now emerging as a key focus in the probe.

The unrest, which began as a demonstration over wage-related concerns, escalated into violence in parts of the industrial hub, prompting a wider inquiry into the factors behind the mobilisation of large groups of workers.

According to officials, investigators are examining how digital platforms may have been used to coordinate the protests. Preliminary findings suggest that multiple online groups and accounts played a role in rapidly mobilising participants and spreading messages related to the agitation.

The role of social media has come under particular scrutiny, with authorities looking into whether organised efforts were made to amplify tensions. Officials are also probing the origin of messages circulated online and the possible involvement of coordinated networks.

Recent findings indicate that such protests may not have been entirely spontaneous. Investigations in similar cases have revealed the use of newly created social media accounts, messaging platforms, and closed groups to mobilise crowds quickly and maintain anonymity.

Additionally, concerns have been raised about external elements potentially influencing the protests. Earlier reports have pointed to the involvement of non-worker participants and coordinated digital campaigns that may have contributed to the escalation of violence.

The Noida protest is part of a broader wave of labour unrest driven by demands for higher wages and improved working conditions. The demonstrations turned violent in some areas, with incidents of stone pelting, arson, and clashes with police reported during the peak of the agitation.

Authorities are now focusing on tracing digital footprints, identifying administrators of online groups, and determining whether there was any larger network orchestrating the unrest.

The investigation remains ongoing, with officials stating that appropriate action will be taken based on the findings.