Voting for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election commenced at 7 am on Thursday amidst tight security, with people briskly lining up in front of polling stations across the southern state. A total of 152 constituencies in West Bengal are also voting in the first phase of the assembly elections, amid unprecedented security arrangements.
In Tamil Nadu, AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami, veteran Congress leader P. Chidambaram, former Telangana Governor and BJP candidate Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, and NTK top leader Seeman were among the early voters; they cast their votes in Salem, Sivaganga, and Chennai respectively.
Union Minister L. Murugan stood in a serpentine queue and cast his vote in Chennai. Similarly, BJP leader Khushbu, along with her filmmaker husband Sundar C., voted in the city. Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik voted at Virugambakkam, which falls under the Maduravoyal Assembly constituency.
Meanwhile, in West Bengal, voters were queueing up outside booths in districts ranging from Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri in the north to Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum, and Hooghly in the south.
The opening round covers more than half of the state's 294 assembly seats and is being seen as the BJP's best opportunity to make an early breakthrough, and the ruling Trinamool Congress's most important test in its bid for a fourth consecutive term.
Here are five updates from the early hours of the high-stakes elections in the two states:
1. To prevent any technical delays, a reserve of 20 per cent for EVMs and 30 per cent for VVPATs is being maintained in Tamil Nadu. Officials have strictly enforced the ban against taking mobile phones and smartwatches inside the polling room. The Election Commission has deployed 1,06,418 ballot units along with 75,064 control units and VVPAT machines.
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2. A record 2,450 companies of central paramilitary forces, comprising nearly 2.5 lakh personnel, have been deployed across West Bengal, with over 8,000 polling stations identified as highly sensitive. The Election Commission has placed districts such as Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, Cooch Behar, Birbhum, and Purba Bardhaman under special surveillance, reported news agency PTI.
3. TVK chief Vijay cast his vote at Vaels International School in Chennai. He is contesting from the Tiruchirappalli East and Perambur constituencies. Meanwhile, actor and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan and his daughter Shruti Haasan voted at Chennai High School, Eldams Road, Teynampet.
4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday appealed to the people of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal to "enthusiastically" take part in the voting for the Assembly elections. "As Tamil Nadu votes in the Assembly elections, I call upon all voters to take part enthusiastically in this sacred duty of democracy. I urge the youth and the women of Tamil Nadu in particular to come out and vote in record numbers," Modi said in a post on X.
"Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly elections takes place today. I urge all citizens to participate in this festival of democracy with full strength. I especially appeal to my young friends and to the women of West Bengal to vote in large numbers," PM Modi said in another post.
5. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday urged the people of West Bengal to vote in large numbers and ensure that the ideals of democracy, social justice, equality, and freedom remain intact.
In a post on X, Kharge said, "As West Bengal votes in the first phase of Assembly elections today, I sincerely urge all citizens to step out and participate in large numbers. Do not be deterred by forces that seek to discourage you. Your vote is your voice, and it must be resoundingly heard."