In what is the first major set of elections to be held in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic after Bihar elections, four states and a Union Territory are voting to choose their next Chief Minister.
Elections are being held in eight phases in West Bengal, of which six have already culminated.
Meanwhile, Assam's three-phase assembly elections culminated earlier this month with nearly 79 percent polling in the final round in the state where the ruling BJP is battling the Congress-led alliance to retain power.
In Kerala, which saw a single phase election, the Left is hoping to beat anti-incumbency to retain power, a feat unseen in four decades, while the BJP is making efforts to build inroads.
In Tamil Nadu and Puducherry too, elections were held in a single phase for 234 and 30 seats respectively.
The counting of votes in the states will be held on May 2.
Expressing anguish over non-adherence to Covid guidelines in election rallies in West Bengal, the Election Commission on Thursday ordered a ban on physical campaigning except public meetings with a gathering of up to 500 people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he won't visit West Bengal on Friday as he will chair high-level meetings on Covid-19 situation in Delhi. The Prime Minister was scheduled to attend a rally in Kolkata's Shaheed Minar on Friday.
Voting begins in 43 seats of West Bengal in the sixth round of assembly election
EC observers suggest merging last 2 phases, says report
An elderly woman shows her finger after casting her vote outside a polling station during the state legislative elections, at South Twenty Four Parganas district, about 70 km from Kolkata on April 6, 2021. Photo courtesy: DIBYANGSHU SARKAR / AFP
Describing all 31 West Bengal assembly constituencies where polls will be held on Tuesday as 'sensitive', the Election Commission on Monday imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC.
Report: Four EC officials suspended over the EVM issue in Assam
State polls: 80.43% voter turnout in Bengal, nearly 75% in Assam in 2nd phase
Election Commission of India: 33.24% polling in Assam, 37.42% polling in West Bengal, till 1.02pm.