The results of the 2026 Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry will be declared on May 4, with counting of votes beginning at 8 a.m. The outcome will determine
the fate of 824 seats and shape the political direction in five legislatures.
The Election Commission has said counting will take place simultaneously across constituencies. Early trends are expected within one to two hours, while final results are likely by evening. Voters can track updates on the official Election Commission website.
How Counting Will Take Place?
The counting process follows a structured system. Postal ballots are counted first, followed by votes recorded in Electronic Voting Machines. Each constituency goes through multiple rounds, with updates released after every round.
Returning officers declare final results after verification. Security remains tight, with strong rooms guarded and access restricted. While EVMs allow faster tabulation, the full process continues through the day due to verification and round-wise counting.
Where And How To Track Results?
Election results can be followed in real time on multiple platforms. Viewers can watch CNN News18 for live coverage or visit the News18 website and mobile app.
Live updates will also be available on the dedicated elections page and official social media handles. The live broadcast is scheduled to begin at 6 am.
Election Results 2026: How To Check
Date: May 4 (Monday)
Counting begins: 8 a.m.
Voters can track real-time updates on the ECI website – eci.gov.in
You can follow the election results in real time through these platforms:
CNN News18: Tune into CNN News18 channel
News18 official website: https://www.news18.com/
News18 mobile app
Live election updates page: https://www.news18.com/elections/
CNN News18 official handles on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and YouTube
Live TV coverage and updates will also be available on CNN News18 channel: https://www.news18.com/LIVETV/
Our live broadcast will start at 6 a.m.
The final results will confirm whether these projections hold or if voters deliver unexpected outcomes once again.
Polling was held in April across phases. Assam, Kerala and Puducherry voted on April 9, Tamil Nadu on April 23, and West Bengal in two phases on April 23 and April 29.
West Bengal recorded the highest turnout, crossing 92 per cent. Assam followed with 85.38 per cent, Tamil Nadu with 84.69 per cent, Kerala with 79.63 per cent, and Puducherry with 89.87 per cent.
West Bengal
The exit polls indicate a close fight between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP in West Bengal. A poll of polls suggests both parties are near the halfway mark in the 294-member Assembly, raising the possibility of a hung House.
Some projections, such as P-MARQ, give the BJP an edge with 150–175 seats. Others, including Matrize, suggest a much tighter race, with both parties within reach of a majority.
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu presents a more complex picture. Several exit polls suggest the DMK-led alliance under M K Stalin could retain power comfortably.
However, the entry of Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has added a new dimension. One projection by Axis My India places TVK in the 98–120 seat range, even putting Vijay ahead in chief ministerial preference. Other surveys, however, project a smaller tally while acknowledging its impact.
Assam
Exit polls in Assam largely point to a BJP victory. Most projections place the party between 85 and 100 seats in the 126-member Assembly.
The Congress is expected to trail significantly, with estimates ranging from 25 to 35 seats.
Kerala
Kerala is expected to witness a close contest. Poll of polls gives a slight edge to the Congress-led United Democratic Front with around 70–75 seats.
The Left Democratic Front is projected to secure around 60–65 seats. However, variations across surveys highlight uncertainty, with some suggesting a narrow LDF win.
Puducherry
In Puducherry, exit polls suggest a clearer outcome. The BJP-led NDA is projected to win between 16 and 20 seats in the 30-member Assembly.
The Congress-DMK alliance is expected to trail with 6–8 seats, while smaller parties could secure a few seats.
