Assembly Elections 2026: Comprehensive Counting Update (As of 6:15 PM, May 4, 2026)
The counting for the 2026 Legislative Assembly Elections in the states of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry has reached an advanced stage. As of 18:15 PM, trends and results from the Election Commission of India (ECI) indicate significant political shifts across the states.
State-by-State Overview
West Bengal
Total Assembly Seats: 294
Seats Under Counting: 292
Current Status: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues to maintain a strong lead and has already secured major wins, nearing the 200-seat mark. The incumbent All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has raised concerns and urged caution among its cadres, but the ECI has asserted the absolute security and transparency of the process.
Major Parties (Leading/Won):
- BJP: 166 leading / 39 won
- AITC: 67 leading / 15 won
- INC: 1 leading / 1 won
- AJUP: 0 leading / 2 won
- CPI(M): 1 leading / 0 won
Tamil Nadu
Total Assembly Seats: 234
Seats Under Counting: 224
Current Status: In the most significant upset of the 2026 elections, the actor Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has emerged as the single largest party, displacing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) from their traditional strongholds.
Major Parties (Leading/Won):
- TVK: 79 leading / 29 won
- DMK: 51 leading / 10 won
- AIADMK: 39 leading / 6 won
- PMK: 5 leading / 0 won
- INC: 4 leading / 1 won
Kerala
Total Assembly Seats: 140
Seats Under Counting: 126
Current Status: The United Democratic Front (UDF), spearheaded by the Indian National Congress (INC), is leading the charge, indicating a strong anti-incumbency sentiment against the incumbent Left Democratic Front (LDF).
Major Parties (Leading/Won):
- INC: 1 leading / 62 won
- CPI(M): 2 leading / 24 won
- IUML: 2 leading / 20 won
- CPI: 0 leading / 8 won
- KEC: 0 leading / 7 won
Assam
Total Assembly Seats: 126
Seats Under Counting: 123
Current Status: The BJP and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies are displaying strong momentum and appear set to comfortably retain power in the state. The Congress-led alliance has trailed in several key constituencies, including a notable loss in Jorhat.
Major Parties (Leading/Won):
- BJP: 25 leading / 57 won
- INC: 17 leading / 2 won
- BOPF: 4 leading / 6 won
- AGP: 7 leading / 3 won
- AIUDF: 1 leading / 1 won
Puducherry
Total Assembly Seats: 30
Seats Under Counting: 26
Current Status: The NDA, led by the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) and the BJP, has crossed the majority threshold and is positioned to form the next state government.
Major Parties (Leading/Won):
- AINRC: 2 leading / 9 won
- DMK: 3 leading / 2 won
- BJP: 2 leading / 2 won
- TVK: 1 leading / 2 won
- IND: 0 leading / 3 won
ECI Operations and Security on Counting Day
The ECI, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, has played a pivotal role in maintaining transparency and security.
- 3-Tier Security: To ensure absolute fairness, the commission deployed a robust three-tier security system around all counting centers and strong rooms.
- QR Code Verification: QR code-based identity checks have been strictly enforced to prevent impersonation and unauthorized access.
- Action on Irregularities: Addressing electoral issues, the ECI ordered repolling in the Falta constituency in West Bengal to preserve the integrity of the process.
The Turnout and SIR Reports
The ongoing counting has been characterized by record-high voter participation. In West Bengal, the turnout surged to 92.8% in the first phase and 91.47% in the second—the highest levels seen since Independence. These historic participation numbers were documented under the State Investigative and Review (SIR) frameworks, prompting strong monitoring of the counting procedures.
Background and Context
The 2026 assembly elections have been a critical test of governance across India:
- Tamil Nadu’s Political Transition: The decline of the two-party Dravidian monopoly highlights a shift in expectations, with voters favoring fresh leadership.
- West Bengal’s Polarization: The TMC and the BJP have been locked in a high-voltage campaign centered on the state’s economic and security concerns.
- Kerala’s Alternating Power Dynamics: True to its history, the state is once again witnessing a tight contest resulting in a likely UDF government.
Counting continues late into the evening, with final declarations expected as the ECI tallies the last rounds of EVMs.
Accuracy Disclaimer
Provisional Data Notice: The information, trends, and seat statistics provided in these updates are based on the live, ongoing data feeds from the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Please note the following:
- Dynamic Updates: The counting process and margins are subject to constant fluctuation as new rounds of EVMs and postal ballots are tabulated.
- Provisional Status: The figures for “leading” and “won” are provisional and are subject to official verification and certification by the ECI at the end of the counting process.
- Official Source: For the latest legally binding and final results, please refer to the official Election Commission of India website or mobile application.
The content is intended for informational and update purposes and should not be considered a final declaration of results.
