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.

The results of the 2026 assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry are being declared today, with counting of votes beginning at 8 am.

These elections, held over multiple phases in recent weeks, will determine governments across a total of 824 assembly constituencies, making it one of the largest electoral exercises in the country this year.

Early trends are expected to emerge within the first few hours of counting, while clearer results are likely by midday as counting progresses across centres.

West Bengal, with 294 seats, remains one of the most closely watched contests, where a tight battle between major political forces is anticipated. Tamil Nadu, which has 234 seats, is also under focus as parties compete for a clear mandate.

Kerala, with 140 seats, and Assam, with 126 seats, are witnessing multi-cornered contests, while Puducherry’s 30-seat assembly adds to the overall political picture emerging today.

The elections are seen as a crucial political test for both national and regional parties, with outcomes expected to influence future strategies and alliances at the national level.

With counting underway simultaneously across all constituencies, attention remains fixed on how voter preferences translate into final seat tallies and government formations in these key regions.