The battle in West Bengal has reached its final stage, with one central question: can the BJP defeat the TMC and secure a double-engine government in the state? Today’s outcome will shape Bengal’s political and economic future.
Results will be declared on Monday, May 4. Counting will take place in 293 of the 294 constituencies, with repolling pending in South 24 Parganas’ Falta. The result for that seat will be announced separately on May 24. Counting will begin around 8 a.m., starting with postal ballots, followed by votes from Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Voters can follow real-time updates on the Election Commission of India website at eci.gov.in or tune in to CNN News18 for live coverage.
First election after SIR
This is the first election after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The exercise saw the deletion of about 90.66 lakh to 91 lakh voter names, with the highest numbers from the Muslim-dominated Murshidabad district.
Despite this, turnout remained exceptionally high. The first phase, covering 152 seats, recorded 92.88% voting. The second and final phase, across 142 seats, saw 92.5% turnout.
Exit poll predictions
Most exit polls place the BJP ahead of the TMC, though projections vary widely.
However, People’s Pulse projects a TMC victory, estimating 177-187 seats for the party. It places the BJP between 95 and 110 seats, with Congress and the Left expected to win only a few seats. Across projections, BJP’s tally ranges from 95 to 170 seats, highlighting uncertainty around the final outcome.
What happened in 2021 polls?
In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly election, the TMC returned to power with a landslide victory, winning 213 seats and securing around 48% of the vote.
The BJP emerged as the main opposition, winning 77 seats with a vote share of about 39%.
