Overview
- Vote counting for West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry began at 8 am Monday, with most results expected the same day.
- The Election Commission canceled polling across Falta in South 24 Parganas and set a full repoll for May 21, pushing that seat’s count to May 24.
- The Falta action followed disputed claims of EVM tampering and intimidation, with BJP alleging taped buttons, TMC denying it, and three TMC workers arrested.
- West Bengal’s count ran under tight controls with 293 sites, 459 halls, 539 observers and a three-layer security ring that included 200 CAPF companies plus QR-code ID checks and a mobile ban.
- Early trends pointed to the BJP crossing the majority mark in Bengal and leading in Assam, with media also reporting UDF gains in Kerala, NDA ahead in Puducherry and an unexpected TVK surge in Tamil Nadu.