West Bengal has registered a historic voter turnout of 92.47% in the 2026 Assembly elections, marking the highest participation since Independence, according to official data from the Election Commission.

The record-breaking turnout comes after voting was conducted in two phases, with both phases witnessing exceptionally high public participation.

Phase-wise turnout reflects strong voter engagement

Polling in the second and final phase recorded around 91.66% turnout, while the first phase saw an even higher participation of 93.19%.

When combined, the overall turnout reached 92.47%, surpassing the previous record of 84.72% in the 2011 Assembly elections.

This sharp increase highlights a significant rise in voter awareness and engagement across the state.

Women voters lead participation

Data released by the Election Commission shows that women voters slightly outnumbered men in turnout, reflecting a strong gender participation trend in the elections.

The high turnout across demographics indicates broad-based involvement in the democratic process.

One of the highest turnouts in the country

The turnout in West Bengal is among the highest recorded in any Indian state election, underscoring the intensity and importance of the 2026 polls.

Officials have described the participation as a strong indicator of public trust in the electoral process and democratic institutions.

Counting scheduled next month

Votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections are scheduled to be counted next month, along with results from other states that went to polls during the same period.

With such high voter participation, the election outcome is expected to be closely watched.

An earthquake of magnitude 4.1 struck the Leh region of Ladakh in the early hours of Thursday, according to official data.

The tremor was recorded at around 03:54 AM IST, with its epicentre located in Leh. Seismological data showed that the earthquake occurred at a depth of approximately 150 kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface.

Authorities confirmed that there were no immediate reports of damage to property or loss of life following the tremor.

According to the National Centre for Seismology, the quake’s coordinates were recorded at latitude 36.722 north and longitude 74.456 east.

Ladakh is considered a seismically active region, and minor to moderate earthquakes are not uncommon in the area. Over time, several low-intensity tremors have been recorded in and around Leh, reflecting ongoing tectonic activity.

Experts note that earthquakes occurring at greater depths, such as this one, often result in reduced surface impact, which may explain the absence of reported damage.

Exit polls for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections suggest that the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), led by Chief Minister M K Stalin, is likely to return to power, though the final outcome will be confirmed on counting day.

According to multiple projections, the DMK-led alliance is expected to secure a majority in the 234-member Assembly, with estimates placing the party’s tally in the range of around 122 to 145 seats.

Most polling agencies indicate that the ruling alliance has maintained a clear edge over its rivals, particularly the AIADMK-led bloc, in what has been a closely watched contest.

Vijay factor adds new dimension

A significant highlight of this election has been the entry of actor-turned-politician Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). His debut has introduced a third force in a state traditionally dominated by the DMK and AIADMK.

Early assessments suggest that while TVK may not secure a large number of seats, it could influence vote shares and outcomes in several constituencies, especially by attracting younger voters and first-time participants.

This has made the electoral contest more complex, with analysts pointing to potential vote-splitting effects that could impact margins for both major alliances.

High turnout and key contest

Polling for all 234 seats was held on April 23, with the state witnessing a high voter turnout of over 84 percent, one of the highest in recent decades.

The election saw a multi-cornered fight involving the DMK alliance, AIADMK-led coalition, and newer players like TVK, alongside other regional parties.

What happens next

Exit polls provide only an early indication of voter trends and are not always accurate. The final results will be declared on May 4, when counting of votes takes place.

Until then, while projections favour a return of the DMK government, the actual impact of the “Vijay factor” and constituency-level dynamics will become clear only after the official results are announced.