Desk Correspondent , New Delhi - The Election Commission of India (ECI) has finalized preparation to begin the counting of voters for the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry on Monday, May 4. Following a high-stakes electoral season characterize by record-breaking voter turnouts-including over 91% in parts of West Bengal and a historic 89.87% in Puducherry-the process is scheduled to commence at 8:00 AM across all designated counting centers. These results will determine the political leadership for a combined 824 assembly seats, marking a critical juncture for both regional parties and national alliances like the BJP and the Opposition bloc.

Under the strict supervision of the ECI, the counting will follow a standardised protocol, beginning with the processing of postal ballots before transitioning to the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Official sources indicate that early trends are expected to emerge by mid-morning, with a clearer picture of the mandates likely stabilizing by the afternoon. To ensure a peaceful and transparent environment, the Commission has mandated a "Dry Day" across all polling states on the day of counting, prohibiting the sale of liquor. Security has been significantly bolstered around counting halls to prevent any post-poll violence, particularly in sensitive zones within West Bengal and Tamil Nadu where the contests were most aggressive.

As the nation awaits the final tally, exit polls have already hinted at potential shifts in the political landscape, suggesting a historic debut for new politicians like Vijay’s TVK in Tamil Nadu and a fierce battle between the TMC and BJP in West Bengal. In Kerala, a tight multi-cornered contest is anticipated, while Assam eyes a potential return for the ruling NDA. Real-time updates will be made available through the ECI’s official results portal and the Voter Helpline app, providing constituency-wise data as each round of counting concludes. This culmination of the democratic process follows weeks of intense campaigning and two major polling phases that ended on April 29.