The wait is finally over for the high-stakes Assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. Counting of votes for 823 seats will begin on Monday, May 4, at 8:00 AM. The Election Commission has made all the arrangements after polling took place in several phases throughout April. The results are expected to be clear by Monday evening, deciding the future of several top political leaders.
The Main Battles
In West Bengal, it is a direct fight between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP. While the TMC is confident of a win, many exit polls suggest the BJP might pull off a victory. Interestingly, counting will happen for 293 out of 294 seats on Monday, as one seat (Falta) will have re-polling later this month.
In Tamil Nadu, the ruling DMK alliance led by M.K. Stalin is hoping to stay in power. However, the entry of actor Vijay’s new party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has become a major “X-factor.” Some polls even predict that TVK could win a surprising number of seats, potentially upsetting the traditional DMK-AIADMK rivalry.
What the Polls Predict
- Assam: The BJP, led by Himanta Biswa Sarma, is expected to win comfortably and return to power.
- Kerala: Exit polls show a very tight race, with some giving a slight edge to the Congress-led UDF over the ruling LDF.
- Puducherry: The NDA alliance is predicted to form the government in this Union Territory.
Security Measures
To ensure everything goes smoothly, the Election Commission has deployed a massive security force. In Tamil Nadu alone, over 1.25 lakh staff and 1 lakh police officers are on duty. Counting centers are protected by a “three-tier” security system—local police on the outside, state armed police at the gates, and central paramilitary forces inside. For the first time, a QR-code system is being used to identify authorized personnel entering the centers. In West Bengal, 700 companies of central forces will remain in the state even after the results to prevent any post-poll violence.
Deputy Editor, Prime Post
Anand Gantela is a seasoned media professional with nearly three decades of experience across the spectrum of Indian journalism. Having worked extensively in both print and broadcast media, he has held key positions at renowned outlets such as Prajashakthi, Andhra Bhoomi, Mudra, Media India, Siti Cable, Mana Telugu, and Maa TV. From ground-level reporting to managing news bureaus and overseeing bulletin production, Anand has witnessed the evolution of news firsthand. His wealth of experience reflects a deep understanding of the dynamic and ever- evolving landscape of news reporting.
