Security measures were intensified outside the Motilal Nehru Government Polytechnic College counting centre in Puducherry on May 4 as votes for the Union Territory's 30-member assembly were set to be counted.
Several key constituency votes are being tallied at this centre.
Although Puducherry is smaller in scale, the electoral contest remains significant. The BJP-led NDA aims to consolidate its position, while the Congress-DMK alliance seeks to regain ground. The electorate demonstrated strong engagement with one of the highest voter turnout percentages in the country.
Beyond Puducherry, the counting process for the 2026 Assembly elections is underway in four major states: West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Keralam. The procedure began with postal ballot counts at 8:00 am, followed by Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) counts from 8:30 am. Round-wise results are updated in real time on the ECINET platform and the official Election Commission website.
In West Bengal, the election is highly contested. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, prior to counting, said, “I offered prayers at the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. God is with us. A government that protects the interests of Sanatan Dharma is coming.” The BJP has expressed confidence in unseating the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), with several leaders predicting a wave of change.
Conversely, the TMC maintains that Mamata Banerjee will secure a strong victory. Party leader Kunal Ghosh stated, “Mamata Banerjee is coming back with more than 200 seats,” while raising concerns about counting agent arrangements, citing a lack of basic facilities such as food and water.
Security remained stringent across Kolkata, with senior CRPF officials inspecting strong rooms at Netaji Indoor Stadium. BJP workers gathered outside counting centres, asserting they were there to “safeguard EVMs,” reflecting intense mistrust between rival parties. Election officials have emphasised that the count will proceed in a “free and fair” manner despite these claims.
In Assam, where the BJP currently governs, the party is relying on its record to secure another term. The state recorded high voter turnout, with women outnumbering men at polling stations, a factor that may influence the result. The BJP government led by Himanta Biswa Sarma framed the poll as a mandate for stability and cultural identity. Meanwhile, the Congress focused on governance issues and allegations of corruption.
Keralam's contest is marked by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) seeking an unprecedented consecutive term. Traditionally known for alternating governments, the electorate has exhibited signs of shifting voting patterns.