Polling is in progress across Tamil Nadu and in the first phase of elections in West Bengal on Thursday, with voting scheduled to continue until 6:00 PM under heightened security arrangements.

Election authorities conducted mock polling exercises early in the day at multiple booths in both states to ensure machines and procedures were functioning smoothly before voting began.

Tamil Nadu is witnessing a single-phase election covering all 234 Assembly constituencies. In contrast, West Bengal is holding its election in two stages. Today's polling spans 152 seats. The remaining 142 constituencies will vote on April 29. Counting for both states will take place on May 4.

In Tamil Nadu, over 5.7 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots. Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik earlier said the election machinery is fully prepared, highlighting arrangements for first-time voters, service voters, and postal ballots already received.

The contest in the state is largely centred around the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led alliance and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led National Democratic Alliance. While the DMK is relying on its governance record, the opposition alliance is attempting to regain ground.

Actor-turned-politician Vijay is also entering the electoral arena with his party, adding a new dimension that could influence voting patterns.

In West Bengal, a total of 1,478 candidates are contesting in the first phase. The election overall will decide 294 Assembly seats in the state. The political battle is primarily between the ruling All India Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.