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Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday praised voters in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu after both states recorded their highest-ever voter turnout since Independence.

“Highest-ever percentage of polling in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu since Independence. The ECI salutes each voter of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu,” Kumar said after polling concluded.

Bengal Leads With Over 91% Voting

West Bengal, which went to polls in 152 assembly constituencies in Phase 1, recorded a turnout of 91.91 per cent so far, according to the latest data from the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Several districts crossed the 90 per cent mark, reflecting strong participation. Dakshin Dinajpur registered the highest turnout at 94.85 per cent, followed by Cooch Behar at 94.54 per cent, Birbhum at 93.70 per cent, Jalpaiguri at 93.23 per cent, and Murshidabad at 92.93 per cent.

The figures indicate consistently high voter engagement across districts.

Tamil Nadu Not Far Behind

Tamil Nadu also reported robust participation, with 84.80 per cent of votes cast across its constituencies.

Among districts, Karur recorded the highest turnout at 92.48 per cent, followed by Salem at 90.42 per cent, Dharmapuri at 90.02 per cent, Erode at 89.97 per cent, and Namakkal at 89.63 per cent.

Higher Than 2021 Polls

The turnout in both states marks a significant rise compared to the 2021 Assembly elections. West Bengal had recorded 85.2 per cent polling, while Tamil Nadu stood at 76.6 per cent.

The latest figures underscore an intensified electoral exercise and sustained voter participation.

Polling Details And Next Phase

Voting for all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu and 152 constituencies in West Bengal began on Thursday under tight security arrangements.

Polling for the remaining 142 constituencies in West Bengal is scheduled for May 29, while counting of votes for both states will take place on May 4.