Counting begins at 8 am for five critical assemblies.

Election officials across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry officially opened counting centers at 8 am today to decide the political fate of these regions. This high-stakes exercise follows weeks of intense campaigning and multi-phase polling that saw record-breaking voter participation. The process initiated with the verification of postal ballots, a standard procedure before Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) data is tabulated.

Tight security cordons remain in place at every counting station to maintain law and order as the first trends emerge. The Election Commission of India has deployed thousands of observers and micro-observers to monitor each table, ensuring that the mandate remains protected. In West Bengal specifically, additional central forces are patrolling sensitive areas to prevent post-poll friction.

Early trends are being watched closely following exit polls that suggested varied outcomes across the map. While some projections hinted at a return of incumbent powers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, others predicted tight contests or potential shifts in Kerala and West Bengal. Unlike general elections, these regional battles often hinge on localized welfare schemes and linguistic identity, which have historically shaped the political landscape of Southern and Eastern India.

Public access to real-time data is being facilitated through the official ECI portal and mobile applications. Results for over 800 constituencies will be updated round-by-round, with final tallies expected by late evening. Candidates and party agents are present at each station to oversee the unsealing of EVMs, reinforcing the integrity of the democratic tally.

Inputs from Agency threads and Image Courtesy: ANI