Vote Counting Begins At 8 AM As ECI Stresses Transparency And Security

Counting of votes will begin at 8 AM today for the Assembly elections in Assam, Keralam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, along with by-elections in seven constituencies across five States.

The Election Commission of India said that elaborate arrangements are in place to ensure the counting process meets high standards of transparency, security and efficiency.

As per protocol, counting will start with postal ballots, including those cast by service voters, before moving on to votes recorded in Electronic Voting Machines.

In Keralam, Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar said voter turnout for the April 9 Assembly polls now stands at 79.7 per cent after factoring in service voters’ postal ballots.

In West Bengal, the Commission has ordered fresh polling in all 285 booths of the Falta Assembly constituency on May 21.

Repolling had earlier taken place in select booths of the Paschim Magrahat Assembly constituency and Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency.

Officials added that stringent security measures are in place at counting centres across all regions, including Assam and Puducherry, to ensure a smooth and credible counting exercise, with results declared throughout the day.

Also Read: Assembly Election Results 2026: Tight Contests Across Tamil Nadu, Keralam, West Bengal And Assam