All eyes on May 4 as Bengal, four other states await crucial assembly poll results amid repoll controversy

All eyes are on Monday, May 4, as results for the crucial assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry are set to be declared, bringing weeks of intense campaigning and political confrontation to a decisive close.

Among all the states, West Bengal remains the biggest battleground, where the contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has dominated national attention. The election process in the state has been marked by fierce allegations, political flashpoints and controversies surrounding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), adding further suspense ahead of counting day.

Repolling amid tampering allegations

In a dramatic development just ahead of results, the Election Commission of India (ECI) conducted repolling on Saturday at 15 polling stations across the Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district.

Voting took place between 7 am and 6 pm and witnessed strong voter participation, with turnout reaching 86.9 percent by 5 pm.

Election officials described the repolling process as peaceful.

“Repolls were held in a very peaceful manner. Till 5 pm, the voter turnout in Magrahat Paschim was 86.1%, and in Diamond Harbour it was 87.6%,” an ECI official in Kolkata said.

The decision to hold repolling followed multiple complaints of alleged EVM tampering during the second phase of voting.

According to officials, at least 77 complaints were received from four constituencies. Falta reported the highest number with 32 complaints, followed by Diamond Harbour with 29, Magrahat with 13, and Budge Budge with three.

The BJP accused the ruling TMC of orchestrating irregularities and demanded immediate corrective action. All four constituencies are considered traditional TMC strongholds.

Full repoll ordered in Falta

In an unprecedented move, the Election Commission has ordered fresh polling across all 285 polling stations in the Falta constituency on May 21, citing what it termed a “subversion of the democratic process.”

The repoll will be conducted under heightened security from 7 am to 6 pm, with vote counting for the constituency scheduled for May 24.

Election officials cited serious irregularities during their review.

“The Special Observer and the District Election Officer observed sufficient grounds to conclude that the poll process in several polling stations in Falta was vitiated,” an official said.

Authorities pointed to allegations that ballot units had been tampered with using black tape and perfume, while surveillance footage reportedly showed significant gaps and unauthorised access to voting compartments.

The decision has intensified political tensions in the state, with both major parties continuing to trade accusations.

Bengal battle remains centre stage

As counting begins Monday morning, West Bengal’s electoral verdict is expected to be closely watched across the country.

Exit polls have projected a major surge for the BJP, with some suggesting the party could register a historic breakthrough in the state.

However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has dismissed those projections as politically motivated and confidently predicted a sweeping TMC victory.

The Trinamool Congress chief has said her party will win at least 226 of the state’s 294 assembly seats.

The outcome is likely to have significant national political implications, particularly as Bengal has emerged as one of the BJP’s most ambitious expansion fronts.

Counting process to begin at 8 am

The counting of votes across all five states and the Union Territory of Puducherry is expected to begin at around 8 am on Monday.

The process will start with the counting of postal ballots, followed by votes recorded in Electronic Voting Machines.

While Bengal remains the biggest focus, the results in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry are also expected to shape the broader national political landscape.

With heightened political stakes, controversies still simmering, and both sides claiming confidence, Monday’s counting day is set to deliver one of the most closely watched electoral verdicts of the year.