West Bengal vote count begins: AJUP chief Humayun Kabir urges fair result
Synopsis
As West Bengal's vote count got underway on 4 May across 293 constituencies, AJUP chief Humayun Kabir called for a fair and smooth process. Exit polls largely predict the end of TMC's 15-year rule — but with a record 93% turnout and a revamped ECI counting methodology, the final verdict may still hold surprises.
Key Takeaways
Counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections began at 8 am on 4 May across 293 of 294 constituencies.
AJUP chief Humayun Kabir urged the ECI to ensure a smooth, fair count with no problems for any party or candidate.
The ECI introduced a new counting method: postal ballots counted exclusively for the first 30 minutes , then simultaneously with EVM tallying from 8.30 am .
Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas is excluded; repolling is set for 21 May , results on 24 May .
In 2021 , TMC won 216 seats and BJP won 77 ; most exit polls this time predict a BJP win ending TMC's 15-year rule.
The two-phase polls on 23 and 29 April recorded a turnout of nearly 93 per cent .
Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief Humayun Kabir on Monday, 4 May called for a smooth and transparent counting process for the West Bengal Assembly elections, urging the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure no political party or candidate faces any irregularity. Counting of votes began at 8 am across 293 of 294 Assembly constituencies in the state, with postal ballots tallied first.
Kabir's Appeal for a Fair Count
Speaking to reporters, Kabir said, "Everything is completely fine at the polling stations. The Election Commission has also made good decisions regarding the counting process, which is a positive step. There should not be any problem for any political party or any leader."
He added, "The officials of the Election Commission deployed here should ensure that the entire process is done smoothly and safely, and no one should face any problem. The general public who has supported and voted should get a fair and good result." Expressing confidence in the outcome, Kabir stated, "Whatever the result is, it will be good for sure."
New Counting Pattern Introduced by ECI
The Election Commission of India has introduced a revised counting methodology for this election cycle. Unlike previous elections — where the full count of postal ballots had to be completed before Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tallying began — this time only the first 30 minutes (from 8 am to 8.30 am) are reserved exclusively for postal ballots. From 8.30 am onwards, postal ballots and EVM votes are counted simultaneously.
According to an insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), the revised process is designed to ensure postal ballot counting is completed before the final rounds of EVM tallying. "In case, in any counting room, if the counting of postal ballots is not completed before the last two rounds of counting, the counting of EVM votes will be kept on hold for some time," the official said. The insider added that a clear result trend is expected to emerge by noon under this new process.
Falta Constituency Excluded; Repolling on May 21
Counting is underway in 293 of the state's 294 Assembly constituencies. The ECI on Saturday ordered repolling for the entire Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district, scheduled for 21 May. Results for Falta will be declared separately on 24 May.
Political Landscape and What's at Stake
The primary contest in West Bengal is between the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the principal opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In the 2021 Assembly elections, TMC secured 216 seats, BJP won 77, and the All India Secular Front (AISF) claimed one seat. The Indian National Congress and the CPI(M)-led Left Front, despite contesting in alliance that year, failed to win a single seat.
This time, the Left Front and Congress have contested independently, though the Left Front maintained a seat-sharing arrangement with AISF. Both formations are aiming to re-establish a presence in the state Assembly. The two-phase polls were held on 23 April and 29 April, recording a near-record turnout of approximately 93 per cent. Most exit polls — barring two — have predicted the end of TMC's 15-year rule and a shift toward BJP governance in the state.
With counting now underway and a clearer picture expected by midday, all eyes remain on whether exit poll projections hold or whether West Bengal delivers a surprise verdict.
Point of View
While measured, reflects the anxiety that smaller regional formations feel when caught between two dominant forces. AJUP's relevance in a TMC-vs-BJP binary is already marginal, and a clean, credible count matters more to minor parties than to either frontrunner. The ECI's revised simultaneous-counting protocol is a procedural improvement, but the real test is field-level enforcement — especially in a state with a documented history of post-poll tension. With most exit polls forecasting a regime change, the pressure on counting officials to maintain order will be acute. Whether the new methodology delivers the promised midday clarity — without controversy — will itself become a data point for ECI credibility in future high-stakes state elections.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did West Bengal Assembly election vote counting begin?
Counting began at 8 am on Monday, 4 May, across 293 of 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal. Postal ballots were tallied first for the initial 30 minutes, after which EVM counting commenced simultaneously.
Why is Falta constituency excluded from today's counting?
The ECI ordered repolling for the entire Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district after concerns were raised. Repolling is scheduled for 21 May, with results to be declared on 24 May.
What is the new ECI counting method introduced for this election?
Unlike previous elections where postal ballot counting had to be fully completed first, the ECI now allows only 30 minutes exclusively for postal ballots (8 am to 8.30 am), after which both postal and EVM votes are counted simultaneously. This is designed to ensure a clearer trend emerges by noon.
What were the 2021 West Bengal election results?
In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, Trinamool Congress won 216 seats, BJP won 77, and AISF won one. Congress and the CPI(M)-led Left Front failed to win a single seat despite contesting in alliance.
What do exit polls predict for the 2025 West Bengal elections?
Most exit polls, barring two, have predicted the end of TMC's 15-year rule and the beginning of BJP governance in West Bengal. The two-phase polls on 23 and 29 April recorded a turnout of nearly 93 per cent.
