Tamil Nadu Election 2026 Live Updates: State records 84.29% voter turnout as polling concludes

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 Polling Status Live Updates: Tamil Nadu has an electorate of 5.73 crore, voting across 75,064 polling stations to decide the fate of 4,023 candidates in the 234-member Assembly.

Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Tamil Nadu recorded a strong voter turnout of 84.29% as polling concluded in the state. Till 5 pm, several districts reported notably high polling figures, with Tiruppur leading at 86.33%, followed closely by Namakkal (87.63%), Erode (87.59%) and Salem (88.02%). A total of 4,023 candidates are in the fray for the 234-member Assembly, as voting proceeds throughout the state.

DMK vs AIADMK: This assembly elections feature a mix of political heavyweights and new entrants, shaping a closely watched contest. Chief Minister MK Stalin remains the central figure of the DMK-led alliance as it seeks to retain power, while AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami is leading the opposition campaign from Edappadi. Udhayanidhi Stalin has turned up as a face of the DMK’s next generation, while actor-turned-politician Vijay is contesting his first election. The contest is primarily between the DMK-led bloc and the AIADMK-led alliance aiming for a comeback. The DMK and its allies have announced 164 candidates out of 234 constituencies, with a strategy that includes fielding new faces in seats lost in 2021. The alliance also includes the DMDK, now led by Premalatha Vijayakanth, which has been allotted 10 seats. On the other side, the AIADMK is contesting 172 seats and has broadened its alliance by including TTV Dhinakaran’s AMMK, which is contesting 11 seats. The BJP has been allocated 33 seats, while the PMK which is now split into rival factions, is fielding candidates in 18 constituencies.

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A look back at 2021 poll results: The DMK alliance bagged a big win in the previous Assembly elections. By winning 159 seats, the alliance easily crossed the majority mark of 118, ending the AIADMK’s decade-long rule. The DMK alone contested 188 seats and won 133, paving the way for MK Stalin to assume office as Chief Minister. The AIADMK-led alliance managed 75 seats, with the AIADMK itself winning 66 out of 191 seats, while its allies BJP and PMK secured 4 and 5 seats, respectively. The current election reflects continuity from that mandate. Around 98 sitting MLAs from the DMK alliance have been renominated, many of whom had secured strong vote shares and significant victory margins in 2021. Meanwhile, the AIADMK has responded to its past setbacks by reshuffling candidates and expanding its alliance base.

Voter turnout recorded till 5 pm

Live Updates
Apr 24, 2026 11:09 AM IST
Tamil Nadu Election 2026 Live Updates: Tamil Nadu records 84.29% voter turnout

Tamil Nadu saw a voter turnout of 84.29 percent on April 23. The state voted in a single phase. The counting of votes for the state – as well as West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry – will take place on May 4.

Apr 23, 2026 09:57 PM IST
Tamil Nadu Election 2026 Live Updates: While district averages at 77.69 per cent, only 3 persons voted in this Tirunelveli village

In a stark contrast to the rising voter turnout across Tamil Nadu, a tiny hamlet in Tirunelveli district turned the democratic festival into a silent protest as nearly the entire village boycotted the polls on Thursday.

Perumpathu, a village of 969 electors situated 25km south of Tirunelveli, saw only three people -- one man and two women -- cast their votes. This local boycott stood in sharp relief against the overall polling trends in the district.

According to official data, the district-wide average poll percentage reached 77.69 per cent. The boycott stems from deep-seated disillusionment following a harrowing incident in March, where a lawless gang terrorised the village with deadly weapons, leaving two dead and seven others with grievous injuries.

While the district administration and police took action following the violence, residents of the caste-atrocity-prone village dismissed the measures as a "face-saving formula" by officials.

Fed up with recurring violence, the villagers resolved to shun the electoral system entirely. Tirunelveli District Collector and Election Officer Sukumar rushed to the village to hold conciliatory talks and persuade the residents to exercise their franchise. However, the villagers remained stubborn against a system they feel has failed to protect them.

PTI

Apr 23, 2026 09:28 PM IST
Tamil Nadu Election 2026 Live Updates: Record turnout of 85 per cent, focus shifts to result day

Tamil Nadu witnessed a record voter turnout of over 85 per cent on Thursday during elections to 234 Assembly constituencies in a three-cornered electoral battle involving the ruling DMK, AIADMK and new entrant, actor-politician Joseph C Vijay-led TVK. Polling passed off peacefully without any major incidents.

The turnout was a record 85.05 per cent with the ruling DMK, which put up a big fight over delimitation to target the AIADMK-BJP's NDA, fighting hard to retain power. The main opposition AIADMK, that cornered the incumbent regime over a slew of issues including burgeoning debt burden and alleged law and order deterioration, slogged to wrest power.

The fledgling TVK led by charismatic actor-politician Vijay and Tamil nationalist Seeman's over 15-year old NTK are pretty serious players in the electoral arena.

Both DMK and AIADMK exuded confidence of winning. Responding to the new voter turnout, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said: "Highest-ever percentage of polling in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu since independence. The ECI salutes each voter of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu." Election officials indicated that the numbers were still being consolidated and that the final voting percentage might increase.

Though the turnout is considered historic, ruling DMK sources said the polling should reach between 88 and 90 per cent to be tagged as "unprecedented or historic" polling.

Every Assembly election since 2001 has seen an increase of at least 30 lakh votes, sources claimed.

At 6 PM, when voting ended, 85.05 per cent of the 5.73 crore eligible voters, which was approximately 4.87 crore, exercised their franchise.Karur recorded the highest turnout of 91.86 per cent and the lowest was 75.50 per cent in Kanyakumari.

Prior to the 2026 elections, the 2011 polls witnessed 78.29 per cent, the highest in TN poll history. Late J Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK trounced archrival DMK in the hustings then.

In 2021 Assembly polls, the turnout was 73.63 per cent and 4.59 crore electors had voted. In 2021, about 6.29 crore was the registered number of voters.

The 4.82 crore votes polled on April 23 for the 2026 Assembly election is approximately 23 lakh more than what was witnessed in 2021.

DMK President and Chief Minister MK Stalin said "Tamil Nadu will win", adding, people's vote upholding the highest values of Constitution such as democracy, secularism, states' rights and social Justice was a shield to protect Tamil Nadu.

AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami exuded confidence that his party would return to power.

On the historic turnout, BJP's Narayanan Thirupathy said that the full credit goes to EC's Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

PTI

Apr 23, 2026 08:46 PM IST
Tamil Nadu Election 2026 Live Updates: BJP attributes surge in voter turnout in Tamil Nadu to SIR

Attributing the surge in voter turnout to the Election Commission's reforms, BJP leader Narayanan Thirupathy on Thursday stated that the high polling percentage across Tamil Nadu reflects a robust democratic spirit and signals a confident path to victory for the NDA.

"The full credit to SIR (Special Intensive Revision of electoral roll). Hats off to the Election Commission of India. We have seen in Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Kerala and now Pondicherry and now in Tamil Nadu. So, full credit to them," Thirupathy told PTI Videos. He added that those who previously opposed these reforms should now feel "ashamed" as citizens exercised their right to vote in "large, large, large numbers".

While expressing optimism about "giving a good governance", the BJP leader alleged that the ruling DMK has resorted to widespread malpractice due to a "fear of defeat". He claimed that "money also flowed like a river and violence also equal to that of money".

"Winning or losing is part of life, part of the game. But these people want money, they want power," he said.

PTI

Apr 23, 2026 08:23 PM IST
Tamil Nadu Election 2026 Live Updates: Tamil Nadu votes in large numbers as brisk turnout, long queues mark high-stakes Assembly polls | Ground report

By Thursday evening, Tamil Nadu’s polling booths had begun to resemble what they often do on the state’s biggest political days: long, patient queues curling past school gates, elderly voters leaning on walking sticks, first-time voters comparing inked fingers, party agents watching every movement, and the occasional burst of commotion breaking the rhythm of an otherwise orderly day.

By 5 pm, Tamil Nadu had recorded 82.24% polling, according to the Election Commission, the highest-ever turnout in an Assembly election in the state since 1952, surpassing the previous high of 78.29% in 2011. Chennai, often seen as slower to warm up than the rest of the state, also posted a strong 81.34% turnout by 5 pm.

Across the state’s 234 constituencies, voters turned out in large numbers to decide the fate of 4,023 candidates in a contest centred on the ruling DMK-led alliance, the AIADMK-led NDA, actor-politician Vijay’s TVK, and the Seeman-led NTK. Tamil Nadu’s electorate stands at 5.73 crore, including 2.93 crore women, 2.83 crore men and 7,728 third-gender voters. Polling was held in 75,064 booths across 33,133 locations.

Some polling booths witnessed colourful scenes. In Chennai, a newly married couple in wedding attire rushed to vote minutes after tying the knot, while at Stella Maris College, a three-generation family of 14 turned up together, saying voting as a unit was a family tradition. In Coimbatore, students deployed a sari-clad robot named “Tina” to greet voters and hand out toffees, drawing selfies from young electors even as officials stressed the seriousness of the exercise.

Turnout rose steadily through the day — 17.69% by 9 am, 37.56% by 11 am, 56.81% by 1 pm and 70% by 3 pm — with districts such as Salem, Namakkal, Karur, Erode and Tiruppur leading the charts. At 3 pm, Salem recorded 75.79%, Edappadi 75.84%, while Kolathur, where Chief Minister M K Stalin is in the fray, saw 70.24%.

Leaders across parties sought to read the heavy voting in their favour. After casting his vote with wife Durga Stalin and family in Chennai, Stalin said, “Tamil Nadu will win,” repeating a line he has used through the campaign to frame the election as a battle over the state’s rights and political direction. Later in the day, he visited the DMK’s election war room at Anna Arivalayam, where a control room had been set up to coordinate and respond to complaints from the ground.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, who voted in his home turf of Edappadi, said he was “100% confident” of victory for the AIADMK-BJP alliance. Senior AIADMK leaders escalated that claim throughout the day, with former minister S P Velumani speaking of a sweep and predicting that the alliance would cross 210 seats. Velumani also alleged a lack of transparency in Coimbatore, claimed tokens were distributed to voters in Kavundampalayam, and accused the administration and police of acting improperly. He further alleged that AIADMK candidate Amman Arjunan was obstructed in Coimbatore South.

PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, another NDA ally, said the brisk polling signalled “change in government” and described the turnout as a sign that public anger over unemployment, rising prices, tax burdens and law-and-order concerns was translating into votes.

TVK chief Vijay, contesting from Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East, cast his vote early in Chennai before writing to the Election Commission seeking a two-hour extension of polling. Citing long queues, slow movement at booths and transport disruptions at key bus termini such as Koyambedu, Kilambakkam and Madhavaram, Vijay alleged that the “systemic failure” could disenfranchise voters. 

He demanded emergency bus services and better booth supervision. But Chennai District Election Officer J Kumaragurubaran said that in all 16 Assembly constituencies in the city, every voter who entered a polling station by 6 pm would be allowed to vote, even if the queue extended to 8 or 9 pm or beyond.

The day was not without friction. In Salem’s Arisipalayam, a clash broke out inside Booth No. 139 between AIADMK and DMK booth agents after a voter allegedly misread a conversation, leading to a scuffle and police intervention. In Coimbatore’s Gandhimanagar, DMK and BJP workers clashed after BJP district president Ramesh Kumar arrived in an Election Commission-authorised vehicle near a booth, prompting a heated confrontation over access. BJP leader K Annamalai later claimed the poll process in Coimbatore South had been “vitiated” in the last few days and criticised the Election Commission’s pre-poll handling.

There were also technical glitches. EVM snags delayed polling by 30 minutes at two booths in Tiruppur and halted voting for nearly an hour at a booth in Namakkal’s Nallipalayam before officials restored the machines. In Coimbatore, polling staff briefly chased down a first-time voter after realising the mandatory indelible ink had not been applied.

Film stars, from Rajinikanth, Ajith Kumar, Kamal Haasan and Vijay to Suriya, Jyothika, Trisha and Vijay Sethupathi, added visibility to polling booths, but the more telling images came from the lines of voters themselves: families arriving together, hundreds who were still on the highways to reach their native towns to vote, first-time voters waiting under the sun, and a state turning out in record numbers to decide whether to renew the DMK’s mandate, restore the AIADMK to power, or make room for a new disruption in Tamil politics.

Arun Janardhanan reports

Apr 23, 2026 07:55 PM IST
Tamil Nadu Election 2026 Live Updates: Tamil Nadu records 84.29% voter turnout as polling concludes

Polling has concluded across Tamil Nadu and the state has recorded a historic voter turnout of 84.29%.

Apr 23, 2026 06:35 PM IST
Tamil Nadu Election 2026 Live Updates: BJP leader Annamalai allege massive electoral malpractices, inadequate transport facility

Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai on Thursday alleged that massive electoral malpractices were taking place in the state Assembly elections and criticised the Election Commission for failing to provide adequate transport facilities for voters.

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote at a polling station in the Goundampalayam constituency, the BJP leader claimed that money and gold were being distributed brazenly to influence the electorate.

"House to house, four people are walking and giving Rs 5,000 for one vote. In the Karur Assembly constituency, they are boldly going and giving a half-gram gold coin to a voter. All of this didn't happen in a single day. This money has come from somewhere. It has been hidden somewhere. They have micro-managed it somewhere," Annamalai said. He further noted that similar cash distributions had been reported within Coimbatore over the last few days, which he said had disturbed the sanctity of the polling process.

The BJP leader also lashed out at the authorities over logistical failures, citing a severe shortage of bus services that prevented voters from reaching their home districts. He said he had received numerous complaints from the public and youth regarding the lack of adequate government and private buses for those travelling from Chennai to southern Tamil Nadu.

"Many of our voters, party members, neutral observers, and the youth have been raising this as a major complaint since yesterday. For instance, a bus that left Chennai last night was expected to reach Ramanathapuram only at 6 pm or 6.30 pm this evening," Annamalai said. He added that the Election Commission could have handled this better in Tamil Nadu.

"They should have taken the Transport Department into their hands, issued instructions, and checked if there were adequate buses to ensure a smooth flow," Annamalai said.

While noting that Tamil Nadu is generally a peaceful state with approximately 84,000 police personnel deployed for the single-phase polls, Annamalai remarked that the Election Commission should have performed its duties much better.

He urged the commission to take control of the remaining polling hours to ensure all citizens could exercise their franchise.

Despite the complaints, he expressed confidence that the over 5.6 crore voters in the state would look beyond these inducements and vote according to their conscience for a change in the state.

Polling for the election to 234 Assembly seats was underway across Tamil Nadu on Thursday.

PTI

Apr 23, 2026 05:37 PM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: Tamil Nadu records 82.24% voter turnout till 5 pm

Tamil Nadu recorded a strong voter turnout of 82.24% till 5 PM in the ongoing Assembly elections, showing steady participation across the state.

Apr 23, 2026 05:29 PM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: Policeman attacked in Poraiyar; suffers multiple stab injuries

According to police, the incident occurred at Booth No. 324 at Jamaliya Middle School in Poraiyar, where polling had been under way at a brisk pace since 7 am. Officials said voter turnout at the booth stood at 36.65 per cent by 11 am.

The injured policeman was identified as Vignesh, a head constable attached to Kuthalam police station. He was on security duty at the booth when a man suddenly attacked him with a small knife, police said. The assailant allegedly inflicted multiple stab injuries on Vignesh’s neck and both hands.

Arun Janardhanan reports

Apr 23, 2026 05:17 PM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates:Two villages in poet Bharathi's Ettayapuram boycott election over 'pathway dispute'

In Ettayapuram, famous for revolutionary poet Subramania Bharathi, a different kind of revolt is unfolding. The villagers of Kulathuvaipatti and Kumaragiri of Ettayapuram, which comes under Vilathikulam constituency, have sworn themselves off the polling booth over a "pathway dispute".

For many years, the villagers have been fighting with the residents of a Sri Lankan refugee camp in the area over public access to the pathway that cuts across the camp to the agricultural lands. The tension reached a breaking point on April 18, when a stone-pelting clash left the community scarred and the path further obstructed.

Now, frustrated after a decade of black flag protests, hunger strikes, and sieges at the Tehsildar's office, the villagers have decided to boycott the 2026 Assembly election, until "a solution is found".

Officials at the polling booth No 64 at the Panchayat Union Primary School in Vilathikulam constituency on Thursday confirmed that of the 983 registered voters there, only five votes had been cast by mid-day. Besides Kulathuvaipatti and Kumaragiri, polling station also caters to voters of Sothunaickanpatti and Ammampadam, the officials said.

Ettayapuram is the birth place of Bharathi and he was the national poet.

Polling for election to 234 Assembly seats was underway across Tamil Nadu on Thursday.

PTI

Apr 23, 2026 05:06 PM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: Fun, surprise, emotion add spice to voting exercise in Tamil Nadu

The polling to the Tamil Nadu Assembly election on Thursday turned out to be a kaleidoscope of tidbits, tense moments and curiosity.

Incidents like AIADMK leader and former Minister Dindigul C Srinivasan reportedly pressing the 'red light' on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) instead of the button to cast vote amused people. Later, the polling official pointed to the button and he cast his vote.

In Coimbatore, Vellore and Dharmapuri districts, 'Robo Tina,' dressed like a cute little girl welcomed voters to the polling station and gave flowers and chocolates to the people.

Some, working in foreign countries including Singapore and in cities outside of Tamil Nadu arrived in their hometowns including Chennai to cast their votes.

At Namakkal, a "super elderly" woman, Mariaayi, reportedly 110 years old, cast her vote. Speaking to reporters, she said she had seen so many leaders including DMK founder CN Annadurai and AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran in her life.

At Pallipalayam in Namakkal, a 60-year old bedridden woman was brought to the polling station in an ambulance to ensure she performs her democratic duty.

Similarly, several persons with disabilities and health issues were brought in wheel chairs to the polling stations.

Election Commission arranged three boats to help villagers off the Pechiparai dam falling under the Padmanabhapuram Constituency in Kanyakumari district to reach the polling station to cast their votes.

Voters linked to Vengaivayal village in Pudukottai district boycotted polling over the incident of faeces being mixed in an overhead water tank a few years ago. They demanded justice over the incident.

At Perumpathu village in Nanguneri constituency in southern Tamil Nadu, not even single person allegedly voted for several hours to mark their protest against a double murder case.

Further, villagers near Ettayapuram in Thoothukudi district boycotted the election and their polling station (Kulathuvoypatti union primary school) under the Vilathikulam Assembly constituency wore a deserted look as only five votes were cast out of the total 983. Their boycott was due to a local dispute over using a pathway.

PTI

Apr 23, 2026 04:27 PM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: EVM malfunction at Avadi booth

EVM malfunction delays voting at Avadi booth in Chennai by over an hour.

Watch video

Apr 23, 2026 04:10 PM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: As state votes, all eyes on Vijay. Can he upend DMK-AIADMK script?

Tamil Nadu began voting on Thursday, with the Election Commission reporting an estimated 70% turnout by 3 pm. There were the usual early queues, parties trying to mobilise voters, and the police outside schools serving as polling booths.

Yet beneath the routine scenes lay something newer: a contest in which actor-politician Vijay has introduced a spark. The ruling DMK entered polling day with what many across parties privately described as an edge based on incumbency, welfare delivery, a broad alliance, and the advantages of state power. The AIADMK, led by Edappadi K Palaniswami, hoped anti-incumbency and alliance arithmetic could narrow that advantage.

But as voting gathered pace through the morning, much of the conversation still revolved around the third name. In tea shops, reels, YouTube channels, party offices, and around booths, the question revolved around what impact Vijay might have and whether the turnout heralds the arrival of something Tamil Nadu has not seen in years: a third force capable of transforming the political landscape dominated by the two Dravidian majors. Read more

Apr 23, 2026 03:46 PM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: State sees robust 70% voter turnout till 3 pm

Tamil Nadu recorded a strong voter turnout of 70% till 3 PM in the ongoing Assembly elections, showing steady participation across the state.

Apr 23, 2026 03:34 PM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: From Rajinikanth to Vijay Sethupathi, celebrities exercise their franchise

As Tamil Nadu goes for Assembly polls, top leaders and celebrities have cast their votes in their respective constituencies early Thursday.

Celebrated music composer Ilaiyaraja, actors Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ajith Kumar, R Sarathkumar, Radhika Sarathkumar, Dhanush, Vikram, Sivakarthikeyan cast their votes at their respective polling stations. Actor Vijay Sethupathi described voting as a very important task and voted in Chennai.

With PTI inputs

Apr 23, 2026 02:59 PM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: Heatwave fails to deter voters; Chennai, Coimbatore saw steady voter turnout

Despite temperatures rising 2-4°C above normal, voters across Tamil Nadu turned out in large numbers on Thursday. Many arrived early to avoid the heat, though high humidity made conditions uncomfortable. Urban centres like Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai saw steady participation. Authorities arranged basic heat management at polling booths, while political campaigns were shifted to cooler evening hours. (PTI)

Apr 23, 2026 02:02 PM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: Voter turnout by 1 pm

Tamil Nadu witnessed voter turnout of 56.81% by 1 PM during the ongoing Assembly elections, showing consistent participation across the state. Among the districts, Tiruppur emerged at the top with 62.97%, followed by Namakkal (62.51%), Erode (61.79%), and Salem (61.42%), all posting impressive figures.

Urban centres such as Chennai registered a comparatively lower turnout at 54.58%, while districts like Kanniyakumari (50.35%), The Nilgiris (50.42%), and Tirunelveli (50.73%) also trailed behind the state average. Meanwhile, consistent voter engagement was observed in regions including Coimbatore (58.24%), Tiruchirappalli (57.66%), and Vellore (57.59%).

Apr 23, 2026 01:14 PM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: BJP stages dharna in Mylapore, alleges DMK voter influence attempt

BJP members staged a sudden protest outside a polling station in Mylapore during the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, alleging that cadres of DMK tried to influence voters. "They are neither voters nor party agents. These individuals displayed DMK symbol and Chief Minister M K Stalin's photos on their phones. If they think they can get votes by unleashing anarchy, then they will not succeed. Stalin should not think of getting votes by crushing our voice. People are aware of the DMK's rowdyism. We cannot accept it," BJP candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan told reporters

She accused authorities of allowing such actions and said evidence was available. BJP workers protested at the polling booth, raising slogans against the DMK leadership. (PTI)

Apr 23, 2026 12:15 PM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: State sees brisk polling; Namakkal tops with 41.41% turnout at 11 am

Polling remained brisk across Tamil Nadu on Thursday, with early trends indicating steady voter participation. By 11 am, Ramanathapuram Collector reported that the district had recorded over 37.56% polling.

Among the districts, Namakkal registered the highest turnout at 41.41%, followed by Erode (41%) and Salem (40.56%), indicating strong voter enthusiasm. Other districts such as Karur (39.7%), Kancheepuram (39.48%), and Dindigul (39.05%) also reported healthy participation.

In contrast, The Nilgiris recorded the lowest turnout at 32.62%, while Ramanathapuram stood at 34.02% as per district-wise figures. Major urban centres like Chennai reported 35.17%, reflecting moderate polling activity in metropolitan areas.

Apr 23, 2026 12:11 PM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: Vijay seeks 2-hour extension, urges transport support amid long queues

TVK chief Vijay has urged the Election Commission to extend voting hours by two hours till 8 PM for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections across 234 constituencies, citing slow polling and long queues at several booths.

In his letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, he also requested deployment of emergency public transport to help more voters reach polling stations. He warned that delays in the voting process could discourage participation and reduce turnout, and called for supervisory officers to be stationed at booths to ensure smoother and faster polling operations. (PTI)

Apr 23, 2026 11:05 AM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: Udhayanidhi Stalin projects DMK return as Tamil Nadu sees multi-cornered electoral battle

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin expressedd strong confidence that his party will win the Assembly elections after casting his vote on Thursday. He also appealed to citizens to participate actively in polling across all 234 constituencies.

The ruling DMK, heading the Secular Progressive Alliance with allies including Congress and Left parties, is aiming to retain power. Its main challenger, the AIADMK-led alliance, backed by BJP and others, is seeking a return to government. Meanwhile, actor Vijay’s TVK is attempting to disrupt the long-standing DMK-AIADMK rotation in Tamil Nadu politics. (PTI)

Apr 23, 2026 10:51 AM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: Differently-abled voters flag accessibility issues in Tiruvottiyur, urge EC to act

Voters in Tiruvottiyur have raised concerns over inadequate facilities for differently-abled individuals and urged the Election Commission to address the issue on Thursday.

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Apr 23, 2026 10:24 AM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: 17.69% turnout recorded by 9 am, Tiruppur leads district chart

Tamil Nadu’s Assembly elections voting began on Thursday, with early estimates placing the overall voter turnout at 17.69% till 9 am. While polling began on a steady note across the state, significant variation was seen at the district level.

Among the districts, Tiruppur reported the highest turnout at 20.38%, followed by Namakkal (19.83%) and Erode (19.55%), indicating relatively stronger early participation in western and central regions. Salem also recorded a robust 19.46%.

At the lower end, Ramanathapuram and The Nilgiris registered the lowest turnout at 15.54% each, while Chennai remained modest at 16.51%, reflecting the usual early urban slowdown in voting trends.

Overall, most districts hovered in the 16-18% range, suggesting a steady but not yet accelerated voter response in the initial hours of polling.

Apr 23, 2026 10:15 AM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: 'Tamil will win', says Stalin after casting vote

DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday expressed confidence that his party would prevail in the Assembly election, casting his vote alongside his wife Durga Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin at a polling station in Chennai. Reiterating his campaign narrative of a “Tamil Nadu team vs Delhi team” contest, Stalin urged citizens to vote in large numbers, declaring that “Tamil will win.” (PTI)

Apr 23, 2026 09:18 AM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: Rajinikanth, Ajith Kumar cast votes in Chennai

Megastar Rajinikanth and Ajith Kumar cast their votes on Thursday as polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections continued. Rajinikanth voted at a booth in Stella Maris College, Chennai and later displayed his inked finger, while Ajith Kumar exercised his franchise in Thiruvanmiyur.

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Apr 23, 2026 09:02 AM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: 'Exercise your democratic right, protect federal rights', says Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday appealed to Tamil Nadu voters to turn out in large numbers and defend federalism, social justice and inclusive welfare. "It is time for you to exercise your Democratic right and take a stand against those who want to snatch your federal rights," Kharge said.

"It is also to ensure inclusive welfare and retain the ideals of social justice espoused by your icons," the Congress chief said.

Urging especially first-time voters to participate, he called on people to “take a stand” against forces seeking to undermine federal rights.

Apr 23, 2026 08:48 AM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: Kamal Haasan expresses confidence in DMK as he votes with daughter Shruti in Chennai

Chief of the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) Kamal Haasan arrived at Chennai High School in Teynampet along with his daughter Shruti Haasan to cast his vote in the ongoing Assembly elections.

Speaking briefly to reporters after voting, the actor-politician and Rajya Sabha MP expressed confidence in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) retaining power, responding with a “Yes” when asked about the party’s prospects for another term.

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Apr 23, 2026 07:42 AM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: DMK-led alliance will return to power in state, says Chidambaram

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram says that the Secular Progressive Alliance will win the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections and the MK Stalin-led DMK will return to power. "I appreciate the enthusiasm shown by young voters this time. I hope they will vote but they should vote for a stable government, for growth and for welfare measures. They can't vote for a fanciful idea, they have to vote for a stable govt, growth and welfare measures that have been delivered by the DMK Govt in the last 5 years. I hope they will continue to deliver. I am sure they will continue to deliver, the youth must vote for secularism and progress," he said.

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Apr 23, 2026 07:39 AM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: State BJP vice-president Khushbu Sundar casts vote in Mylapore

State BJP vice-president Khushbu Sundar casts her vote at a polling booth in Mylapore. The constituency sees a contest between BJP's Tamilisai Soundararajan here and DMK's D Velu.

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Apr 23, 2026 07:30 AM IST
Byelections underway in Gujarat and Maharashtra

Voting for the bypolls in Umreth Assembly constituency in Gujarat, and Baramati and Rahuri Assembly constituency in Maharashtra are also underway.

Apr 23, 2026 07:27 AM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: P Chidambaram votes early for state elections in Sivaganga

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram is among the early voters in Tamil Nadu. He cast his vote at a polling station in Karaikudi, Sivaganga.

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Apr 23, 2026 07:25 AM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: NTK Chief Senthamilan Seeman casts his vote in Neelankarai

NTK Chief Senthamilan Seeman has casts his vote at a polling booth in Neelankarai.

Apr 23, 2026 07:19 AM IST
Tamil Nadu elections LIVE Updates: PM Modi urges youth and women to set record as voting for 234 seats begins

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged women and youth to vote in record numbers as polling begins in Tamil Nadu. "As Tamil Nadu votes in the Assembly elections, I call upon all voters to take part enthusiastically in this sacred duty of democracy. I urge the youth and the women of Tamil Nadu in particular to come out and vote in record numbers," he posted on X.

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