The Election Commission of India began counting votes today for the 2026 Assembly elections across five states and one union territory [1].
These results will determine the composition of state governments in key regions, shaping local governance and political alignment following elections held in April [4].
Counting officially started at 8 a.m. local time on May 4, 2026 [1, 2]. The process covers West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry [2, 3]. Early trends are expected within a few hours of the start time, with final results projected by this evening [1, 2].
There is a slight discrepancy in the total number of seats being tallied. Some reports indicate 823 seats are being counted [1], while other sources cite a total of 824 seats [4]. This tally determines the winners of the seats contested during the April polling cycle [4].
Most results are expected today, though one exception exists in West Bengal. A re-poll for the Falta seat is scheduled for May 21, 2026 [5].
Election officials are overseeing the tallying of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to ensure accuracy. Political parties including the BJP, Congress, TMC, DMK, and AIADMK are awaiting the final seat counts to determine their mandates in the respective states [1, 2].
“Counting officially started at 8 a.m. local time on May 4, 2026”
The 2026 Assembly elections serve as a critical barometer for regional political strength in India. By consolidating results across diverse geographies, from the northeast in Assam to the south in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the outcome will signal the current viability of both national coalitions and regional parties before future national cycles.
