Tamil Nadu Polls 2026
Right from the morning on April 23, in most polling booths across Tamil Nadu, people stood in queues to cast their votes. By and large, barring minor issues among DMK, AIADMK and TVK cadres, the voting has been peaceful. Youngsters could be seen voting in larger numbers than seniors. Tamil Nadu’s 234 constituencies are voting in a single phase today. The State’s electorate stands at 5.73 crore, deciding the fate of 4,023 candidates.
According to provisional figures released by the secretariat of the Election Commission of India, Chennai recorded a modest voter turnout in the morning, with the estimated polling percentage across the city’s 16 constituencies ranging between about 31% and 39% by 11 am. Between 9 am and 11 am, voter turnout in all the 16 Assembly constituencies in Chennai almost doubled, rising from the mid-teens to the mid-30s and brushing 40% in a few segments.
Significantly, in Virugambakkam and Thyagarayanagar continued to remain at the top of the chart at 39.27% and 39.08% respectively. A clutch of central and northern constituencies trailed behind the district’s leading segments.
The high-stakes contest primarily pits the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance against the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance, with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin seeking to retain power and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami fighting to return to the treasury benches after five years. A key new entrant is Vijay’s TVK, making its electoral debut.
Over 5.73 crore voters will decide the electoral fate of 4,023 candidates in the fray for the crucial Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on April 23, amid tight security and a massive crackdown by election authorities to prevent inducements to influence voters.
Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Archana Patnaik said, “The total electoral strength stands at 5.73 crore, comprising 2.93 crore women, 2.83 crore men, and 7,728 third-gender persons.” Ms Patnaik noted that 14,59,039 first-time voters have been enrolled. The ECI has deployed 1,06,418 ballot units.
She said, “Delegates of the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026 will visit Tamil Nadu on April 22 and 23 to witness the polling process in the State. A total of 34 delegates from 17 countries, including representatives from their foreign missions in New Delhi and a representative of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, will participate in the second phase of the programme.”
As per reports and ground visit to some constituencies, it was found that there was a good turnout in almost all booths without any untoward incidents, and there were no EVM glitches.
In all constituencies, Muslim women were seen clad in burka, hijab, and face veil. Polling officers did not ask them to remove their hijab. Some voters were seen carrying mobiles inside the booth. No one was asked to remove or hand them over at the counter exclusively provided. If the earlier trend is any indication, the final voting percentage can go up to 60% plus.
A middle-aged cab driver said that from last night 8 pm onwards there was a huge traffic snarl from Chennai Meenambakkam till Tindivanam. He said most of them were going to their native places to cast their votes.
Yesterday, people were standing in large numbers waiting for outbound government buses to their home places.
Another 50-plus-year-old state transport driver said, “In my long service, I have never seen such a traffic jam. People are showing interest in voting.”
