West Bengal election counting begins: Postal ballots tallied first under new ECI rules
Synopsis
West Bengal's election count is under way with a twist — the ECI has overhauled its counting sequence, running postal ballots and EVM tallies simultaneously after a 30-minute head start for postal votes. With most exit polls predicting a BJP upset to TMC's 15-year rule and a 93% turnout on record, today's verdict could redraw Bengal's political map entirely.
Key Takeaways
Vote counting for the West Bengal Assembly elections began at 8 a.m. on 4 May in Kolkata .
New ECI procedure: postal ballots counted alone for the first 30 minutes , then simultaneously with EVM votes from 8.30 a.m.
Results cover 293 of 294 constituencies ; Falta seat repolling is scheduled for 21 May , results on 24 May .
In 2021 , TMC won 216 seats , BJP won 77 , and AISF won 1 ; Congress and Left Front drew a blank.
Voter turnout was nearly 93% across the two phases held on 23 April and 29 April .
Most exit polls predict a BJP win, ending TMC's 15-year rule, though two polls dissent.
The counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections 2021 commenced at 8 a.m. on Monday, 4 May, in Kolkata, with postal ballots being tallied first under a revised procedure introduced by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Results for 293 of 294 constituencies are being declared today, with the remaining seat — Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas — set for repolling on 21 May.
New Counting Procedure Explained
In a departure from past practice, the ECI has introduced a hybrid counting model. For the first 30 minutes — from 8 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. — only postal ballots are counted. From 8.30 a.m. onwards, postal ballots and Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) votes are tallied simultaneously.
According to an insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), the new format is designed to ensure postal ballot counting wraps up before EVM counting concludes.
Point of View
But it carries a political subtext: faster, cleaner results reduce the window for post-count disputes — something West Bengal elections have historically generated in abundance. The real story today is not the process but the outcome. If exit polls hold and BJP crosses the majority mark, it would represent the most dramatic electoral reversal in Bengal since the Left Front's 34-year reign ended in 2011. TMC's 93% turnout argument cuts both ways — high participation historically favours incumbents, but this cycle's anti-incumbency signals have been unusually strong. The Left Front and Congress, fighting to merely open their accounts, are effectively bystanders in a two-horse race that will define Bengal's political identity for the next five years.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did West Bengal election counting begin and when will results be out?
Counting began at 8 a.m. on 4 May 2021 in Kolkata. According to officials, a clear trend in results is expected by noon, with final outcomes likely by the afternoon.
What is the new ECI counting procedure for West Bengal elections?
The ECI introduced a hybrid model where only postal ballots are counted for the first 30 minutes (8 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.), after which postal ballots and EVM votes are tallied simultaneously. If postal counting lags behind, EVM counting is paused until it catches up.
Why is Falta constituency not counted today?
The ECI ordered a full repolling for Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district on 21 May. Its results will be declared separately on 24 May, which is why counting covers only 293 of 294 seats today.
What were the 2021 West Bengal election results from the previous cycle?
In the 2016 West Bengal Assembly elections, TMC won 216 seats, BJP secured 77, and AISF won 1. Congress and the Left Front failed to win a single seat despite contesting in alliance.
What do exit polls predict for the West Bengal 2021 election?
Most exit polls — barring two — have predicted the end of TMC's 15-year rule and a BJP victory in West Bengal. However, exit poll accuracy in the state has historically been unreliable.
