New Delhi: The stage is set for the announcement of the results of the 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry and the counting of votes is scheduled to begin at 8 am on May 4. The results will decide the fate of 824 assembly seats and decide the political direction in five assemblies.The Election Commission has said that counting of votes will take place simultaneously in all constituencies, with initial trends expected within the first one to two hours. Initial trends are likely to emerge by morning, while final results are expected by evening. Voters can track real-time updates on the ECI website and timeofinfdia.com.Watch complete coverage of the elections here: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-electionsVoting for these elections took place in April, with Assam, Kerala and Puducherry voting in two phases on 9 April, Tamil Nadu on 23 April and West Bengal on 23 April and 29 April. West Bengal witnessed the highest turnout, over 92 per cent across all phases, while Assam saw a record 85.38 per cent participation. Voting was 84.69 percent in Tamil Nadu, 79.63 percent in Kerala and 89.87 percent in Puducherry.

How are votes counted

The counting process follows a structured and stringent monitoring system. Postal ballots are taken first, then votes are recorded in electronic voting machines. Counting for each constituency is conducted in multiple rounds, with results updated after each round. The returning officer declares the final result after all the rounds are completed and verified.Security at counting centers remains tight, strong rooms are guarded and access is restricted to authorized personnel and candidates’ representatives. The use of EVMs ensures faster tabulation, although verification processes and round-wise counting mean that the process continues throughout the day.

Exit polls, poll of polls: what do the projections say?

Exit polls for the 2026 assembly elections indicate a fragmented and state-specific verdict, with no national trend emerging in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry.Most surveys in West Bengal point to a close contest between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, raising the possibility of a hung assembly. Both parties are close to the majority mark in the 294-member House, according to surveys, which suggests that even minor fluctuations in votes could determine the winner. While some agencies like P-MARQ are projecting a BJP lead with 150-175 seats, other agencies like Matrice show a tight race, with the two parties at a distance. Tamil Nadu presents a more complex picture. While many exit polls predict that the DMK-led alliance led by MK Stalin may retain power with a comfortable majority, others highlight the disruptive entry of the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam. Axis My India projects TVK as a likely front-runner with 98–120 seats, even placing Vijay ahead of Stalin in preference for the chief ministerial post, although most other pollsters limit TVK to a smaller number, while still acknowledging its potential to influence the results. In Assam, projections are more conclusive, with exit polls predicting a massive BJP victory. Most surveys predict the party to win between 85 to 100 seats in the 126-member assembly, far ahead of the Congress, which is expected to win between 25-35 seats. As exit polls have predicted, a close contest is expected in Kerala. The poll of polls has given a slight lead to the Congress-led United Democratic Front, which is projected to get around 70-75 seats, while the Left Democratic Front is projected to get around 60-65 seats. However, differing estimates from different agencies underline the uncertainty, with some even predicting a narrow victory for the LDF. In Puducherry, exit polls are suggesting a clear result, with the NDA projected to retain power in the 30-member assembly. Most estimates put the alliance in the range of 16-20 seats, while the Congress-DMK alliance is expected to trail with 6-8 seats. Smaller players including TVK may win some seats. Overall, the exit polls point to a mix of continuity and disruption with tight contests in key states and the potential for new political forces to change the established equations.