Votes counted across 823 seats in five key contests as high-stakes state poll results day begins

Counting is underway across 823 assembly seats in four states and one Union Territory on Monday, in what marks the biggest election results day since the 2024 general elections and a crucial political test for both the BJP-led NDA and regional opposition heavyweights.

Results are being declared for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry, with counting beginning at 8 am with postal ballots, followed by EVM counting from 8.30 am. Votes are also being counted for bypolls in eight assembly constituencies across five states.

The outcomes carry major national significance, with the BJP seeking breakthroughs in states where it has historically struggled, while several powerful regional leaders face critical re-election battles.

Three of the states — West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala — have never had a BJP government, making them the party’s toughest remaining frontiers.

The NDA is defending power in Assam, where it seeks a third straight term, and is aiming to retain Puducherry.

Meanwhile, regional stalwarts face defining tests: Mamata Banerjee is chasing a fourth consecutive term in Bengal, MK Stalin seeks a second straight victory in Tamil Nadu, and Pinarayi Vijayan is hoping for a rare third back-to-back term in Kerala.

Bengal on edge amid record turnout

West Bengal remains the most closely watched battleground.

The state recorded a historic 93.05 percent turnout, the highest in its electoral history, amid controversy over large-scale voter roll deletions under the special intensive revision exercise.

Exit polls suggest the BJP could be headed for a breakthrough victory in a state dominated by Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress for the past 15 years, though both parties claim the massive turnout favors them.

Security has been tightened across counting centres, especially in Kolkata, following late-night protests by Banerjee and TMC leaders over alleged irregularities.

Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal said all arrangements were in place for “free and fair” counting.

The Election Commission has deployed a multi-layered security grid, including central forces, state armed police, and QR code-based access controls for authorized personnel.

Tamil Nadu braces for possible political shift

Tamil Nadu’s 85.10 percent turnout has fueled speculation of a reshaped political landscape.

While most exit polls predict the ruling DMK will retain power, some suggest actor-politician Vijay’s Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) could emerge as the single-largest party, potentially disrupting the state’s long-standing DMK-AIADMK dominance.

A three-tier security system has been deployed across 62 counting centres, with over 125,000 personnel overseeing the process.

Kerala could witness historic change

In Kerala, where turnout stood at 78.27 percent, exit polls indicate an advantage for the Congress-led United Democratic Front.

A loss for Vijayan would mark the first time since the 1960s that Left parties are absent from power in every Indian state.

More than 15,000 personnel have been deployed across 140 counting centres, backed by 25 companies of central forces.

Though not expected to form the government, the BJP sees Kerala as key to expanding its footprint after failing to win a single seat in 2021.

Assam likely to stay with NDA

Exit polls unanimously forecast a decisive victory for Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Assam, where turnout touched 85.96 percent.

Security has been reinforced with central and state armed police guarding counting centres statewide.

Puducherry and bypolls add to stakes

In Puducherry, projections indicate the NDA is on course to retain power.

Counting is also underway in bypolls for seats in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, Tripura, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

National political implications

The results are expected to shape political momentum heading into next year’s crucial round of assembly elections.

For the NDA, success in opposition-held bastions would signal deeper national expansion and strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political position.

For the opposition, retaining key states is essential to halting a slide in influence and rebuilding momentum after recent setbacks.

Five years ago, victories in Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala gave opposition parties critical political breathing room.

Holding those territories again could prove just as consequential.