CHENNAI: With Tamil Nadu election counting just hours away on May 4, several polling-day incidents have come to light, including reports of intimidation, cash seizures and distribution of inducements. While the Election Commission had taken note of violations even before polling day and acted on complaints during voting. Viral videos also point to extreme reactions from actor Vijay’s supporters, with no public appeal for restraint so far.
TN senior BJP leader K Annamalai told media: ‘House to house, four people are walking and giving ₹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.’”
BJP leader Annamalai allege massive electoral malpractices, inadequate transport facility.
He says-
"House to house, four people are walking and giving ₹5,000 for one vote.
In the Karur Assembly constituency, they are boldly going and giving a half-gram gold coin to a voter.… pic.twitter.com/xFR9YA6XIe
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) April 23, 2026
TN BJP Chief spokesperson Naarayanan Tirpathi petitioned seeking stringent action against the DMK candidates, their representatives and workers engaged in corrupt practices. Only a clean election free from such corrupt practices can ensure that the elections to the State Assembly are conducted in a free and fair manner.
Complaint made to the Election Commission today. pic.twitter.com/aDXVkYbj2e
— Narayanan Thirupathy (@narayanantbjp) April 23, 2026
Attacks and Clashes:
In Mylapore, a DMK man allegedly tried to attack BJP candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan, as per the video that was in circulation.
மயிலாப்பூர் பாஜக வேட்பாளரை அடிக்க பாய்ந்த திமுக நிர்வாகி | Tamilisai | Mylapore | Attack | DMK | ThamaraiTV
#thamaraitv #tamilisaisoundararajan #mylapore #attack #bjp #dmk #Tamilisai_attack@DrTamilisai4BJP @ECISVEEP pic.twitter.com/MdIRv5BJNb
— Thamarai TV (@ThamaraiTVTamil) April 23, 2026
DMK’s Mylapore candidate’s aide had ₹80 lakh in the bedroom and ₹70 lakh in the kitchen. Handwritten documents detailing distributions were found alongside the cash. This was an organised vote-buying operation running out of a residential address in Chennai.
DMK's Mylapore candidate's aide had ₹80 lakh in the bedroom and ₹70 lakh in the kitchen. Handwritten documents detailing distributions were found alongside the cash.
This was an organised vote buying operation running out of a residential address in Chennai. #DMKVoteBribery pic.twitter.com/e7Dw2a8RRS
— STAR Boy TARUN (@Starboy2079) April 22, 2026
In a video, it could be seen that DMK Ex-Minister Sekar Babu is fighting with TVK Harbour candidate P.S. Ashok. It happened near a polling booth on Angappa Naicken Street on the 23rd.
DMK Ex-Minister SekarBabu is Fighting with Our TVK Harbour Candidate P.S. Ashok 😡😡 pic.twitter.com/I1rvNeKfme
— Vijay Fans Trends (@VijayFansTrends) April 23, 2026
In Chepauk–Triplicane constituency, TVK cadres held a road roko alleging they were attacked by DMK workers near Ice House. Here Udhayanidhi Stalin is contesting. TVK men accused a DMK councillor of assault and demanded action.
In Saidapet, three men, including two TVK workers and a DMK councillor, were injured in a clash near Aranganathan subway after Health Minister Ma Subramanian visited the area. Kumaran Nagar police have registered cases against workers of TVK and DMK following an assault on a lawyer near a polling station in Saidapet on the 23rd.
Another clash occurred in Royapettah involving DMK, TVK, and AIADMK cadres, leaving a TVK man injured following an issue over a seating arrangement on VM Street.
In Vaniyambadi, Tirupathur district, a clash broke out following allegations by TVK that DMK cadre attempted to cast votes on behalf of others.
In Coimbatore, DMK and BJP cadres clashed near a polling booth in Gandhinagar when DMK men stopped BJP district president Ramesh Kumar, who was visiting polling booths in an ECI-allowed vehicle.
In Trichy district, residents of Vellaiyamkonnpatti near Manapparai briefly halted polling and blocked a road with logs, protesting an alleged police attack on DMK workers. In Trichy, a trainee DSP allegedly damaged tables and chairs used by political parties of DMK, AIADMK, and TVK for campaigning within the 100-metre limit from a polling booth.
In Krishnarayapuram, a minor clash occurred when DMK cadres, including former MLA P Kamaraj, objected to Karnataka police personnel repeatedly using whistles (symbol of Vijay’s TVK).
Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) cadres staged a protest near Thanjavur on the 25th demanding the immediate arrest of DMK workers allegedly involved in the assault on their Papanasam candidate, S Anis Fathima, who was pregnant.
TAMIL NADU : NTK candidate for the Papanasam AC, Anis Fathima, who is pregnant, has been admitted to a govt hospital
She was allegedly manhandled by polling agents of the DMK and IUML pic.twitter.com/XVzigHlK7x
— Karthik Reddy (@bykarthikreddy) April 23, 2026
A gang snatched Rs. 1,344 lakh from an election flying squad which had seized it moments earlier from Sivaganga MP Karti Chidambaram’s office after a raid on 20th April. Police have arrested one suspect, Palaniappan, and the search is on for others.
Bogus Voting:
According to a viral video on social media, “Three women officials were caught on camera — questioned about alleged fake voting in Trichy East constituency. Their silence speaks louder than words.” It is alleged that they cast votes in favour of DMK candidates.
In another video, opposition polling agents are seen arguing with poll officials for allowing bogus voting and impersonation.
திருட்டு திமுக 🤬🤬🤬 எல்லா இடத்திலும் கள்ள ஓட்டு போட்டு இருக்கானுங்க pic.twitter.com/fsF96xYHif
— Arafad (@loves_arafath) April 24, 2026
The votes of Charles in Sholinganallur, Amulu of Thiru.Vi.Ka Nagar, Kannan of Royapuram, and Umamaheswari of Maduravoyal could not be exercised as their votes were already cast by someone.
The Flying Squad Team recovered around Rs 65 lakh from the premises of Srivaikuntam Congress candidate Oorvasi S. Amirtharaj’s residence at Ganesh Nagar in Thoothukudi.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu | The Flying Squad Team (FST) team recovered around Rs 65 lakh from the premises of Srivaikuntam Congress candidate Oorvasi S. Amirtharaj’s residence at Ganesh Nagar in Thoothukudi.
Acting on a tip-off that a large amount of cash had been stockpiled in the… pic.twitter.com/DnjZdaVwsY
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2026
In Perungalathur Peerkankaranai, polling agents found nine more votes polled than the official eligible voter count, leading to heated arguments between polling agents and officials.
பெருங்களத்தூர் பீர்க்கங்காரணையில் வாக்கெடுப்பு வாக்குகளை விட 9 வாக்குகள் அதிகமாக பதிவு… #Perungalathur | #peerkankaranai | #fake_vote | #Election_news | #Vote_cheating | #பெருங்களத்தூர் | #பீர்க்கங்காரணை | pic.twitter.com/CPxVX7jaTy
— Thamizhachi (@ThamizhachiAuth) April 25, 2026
Udhayanidhi Stalin was questioned for wearing a party symbol shirt. One of the netizens questioned Udhayanidhi Stalin entering a polling booth wearing a shirt with a DMK symbol. He said Udhayanidhi Stalin entering a voting booth with a DMK flag badge — is this compliance with election rules? Voting booths must remain neutral, free from any party influence. Equal rules, no exception.
𝗜𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 @annamalai_k 𝐉𝐢
உதயநிதி ஸ்டாலின் அவர்கள் டி.எம்.கே கொடி பதக்கத்துடன் வாக்குச்சாவடிக்குள் வருவது —
இது தேர்தல் விதிகளுக்கு உட்பட்டதா? ⚖️வாக்குச்சாவடி என்பது முற்றிலும் நடுநிலையான இடம்.
அங்கு எந்தக் கட்சியின் சின்னம், கொடி, பதக்கம் ஆகியவை இருக்கக்… pic.twitter.com/kvYzsOzgBD— ᴛɪʀɪꜱʜᴀɴᴋᴀʀᴀᴘᴀɴᴅɪᴀɴ ᴠᴀᴅᴀᴍᴀʟᴀʏᴀɴ (@MODIFORCE_TIRI) April 23, 2026
At Jamunamathur (in Vellore district), polling station No. 52, a DMK man was arrested for casting a bogus vote.
கள்ள ஓட்டு part – 03
ஜெமுனாமத்தூர் Booth No: 62-ல் கள்ள ஓட்டு போட்ட DMK நிர்வாகி! https://t.co/ULxt59R1It pic.twitter.com/yxGxpxUGdj
— Siva Tvk (@Smileysiva97) April 24, 2026
Party cadres in Tamil Nadu claimed that DMK attempted to cast fake votes in Vaniyambadi Municipality, wearing burqas and covering their faces. On getting caught, they ran away. This is why verification is important.
Party cadres in Tamil Nadu claimed, DMK attempted to cast fake votes in Vaniyambadi Municipality, wearing burqas and covering their faces. On getting caught, they ran away.
This is why verification is important! pic.twitter.com/LAlMJd889o
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) April 24, 2026
It could be seen from the above that the women wore burqa, hijab and face veil to cover up their impersonation bid.
DMK allegedly cheated voters with iron anklets coated with silver. When checked, it was found not to be silver.
A poll official was removed from duty in Rasipuram as he cast the vote of a physically challenged person who wanted to vote for BJP’s Lotus symbol, but the official cast it in favour of DMK’s rising sun. This is cited as an example of how an ecosystem functions in Tamil Nadu.
Violations:
In another viral video, school and college students were involved in poll-related work for DMK candidates. According to a netizen, “Stalin won’t directly ask your children to convince your parents to vote for him. Instead, he orders his machinery to use school children to distribute cash for votes. Repeating: DMK is a disgrace to Tamil Nadu.” Involving students in election work is a clear violation, say seniors.
Stalin won’t directly ask your children to convince your parents to vote for him. Instead, he orders his machinery to use school children to distribute cash for votes. Repeating: DMK is a disgrace to tamilnadu. pic.twitter.com/mmIRqxTaIp
— Ninja (@MrNinjaXz) April 25, 2026
Three cases have been booked by Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi district police for violation of election rules involving filming and sharing the voting process on social media. At polling booth No. 127 located at Xavier Primary School, Jegatheesh Akilan (36), a booth agent for NTK, recorded a video during polling and uploaded it on social media. A DMK cadre, Karthik, posted a video of him casting his vote for DMK. A TVK cadre from Thoothukudi district uploaded a video of a similar nature.
A 33-year-old woman, Kousalya, was booked for recording a video while casting her vote at a polling booth in Avarampalayam in Coimbatore city on the 23rd. Polling officials noticed her recording through mobile, confiscated it and handed it over to the police.
Frenzied Vijay Factor Raises Concern:
It was reported that some Vijay cadres would commit suicide if TVK fails to capture power. One woman said she would take poison and give it to her children too. Another woman said he should win, otherwise she would end her life. One woman, a Christian, said “TVK should win, a real Christian should win.” Later she realised what she said and flipped it to, “A real Tamilan should win.”
TVK should win, a real Christian should win, says the lady.
Later she realized what she said and flipped it to, "A real Tamilan should win."
Tamil cinema missed a potential actor.
I mean this lady, not Vijay.😭 pic.twitter.com/64bCZgo5wa— Sanghi Prince 🚩 (@SanghiPrince) April 25, 2026
Another woman said, “Other than Vijay, if Stalin becomes CM again, me and my child will drink poison.” Critics noted the extremity of such reactions.
Other than Vijay, if stalin becomes CM again, me and my child will drink poison, says the Vijay fan girl
Poison own child for Vijay?
So far, I thought these guys were just a bunch of fans. Now I’m realizing that these are zombies with no progressive thinking or tolerance.🤐 pic.twitter.com/pPEm70c5TA
— Sanghi Prince 🚩 (@SanghiPrince) April 24, 2026
Debunking the projected Vijay factor, netizen Dr Praveen Vijaya Kumar said, “All the propaganda claiming a TVK wave appears to be paid promotion. Many reported that TVK presence was minimal at polling booths.”
Joseph Vijay is not just a fraud but a master manipulator of data and numbers!
I think all the propaganda on social media claiming that there is a TVK wave in Tamil Nadu and that everyone voted for Vijay is just paid propaganda by Joseph Vijay’s marketing team.
I spoke to many… pic.twitter.com/7yumago3Fr
— Praveen (@DrPraveenwrites) April 25, 2026
A Vijay supporter suggested restricting voting rights for those above 65 years, sparking criticism.
I wish the government would bring rules to stop people over 65 from exercising their right to vote. Like how those below 18 years can't vote, says TVK Vijay Fan boy.
Wants others right to vote to be taken away for Vijay to win. What a mindset. 💀 pic.twitter.com/GuIb9T4klV
— Sanghi Prince 🚩 (@SanghiPrince) April 25, 2026
In another video, a policeman accompanying actor Rajinikanth and a woman nearby appeared to know for which party he voted, raising concerns about secrecy of voting.
ரஜினிகாந்த் அவர்கள் யாருக்கு ஓட்டு போட்டார் என்பது காவல்துறையின் மூலம் கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டது…
திமுகவுக்கு ஆதரவாக செயல்படும் காவல்துறை!
இதனைப் பார்த்தும் அமைதியாக இருக்கும் தேர்தல் ஆணையம்?வாழ்க தமிழ்நாடு அரசு@rajinikanth pic.twitter.com/3GQifQKGmS
— Minjur saleem (மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@Minjursaleem) April 24, 2026
In most places, there were heated arguments between polling officials and TVK polling agents.
என்ன டா எங்க பார்தாலும் தவெக விடம் சிக்கிய தவெக விடம் சிக்கியனு…🔥@TNelectionsCEO @ECISVEEP நீங்கலா என்ன தான்டா பன்ரிங்க நீங்க பன்ன வேண்டியத நாங்க பன்னிட்டிருக்கோயம்…😮💨 நாங்க பவர்க்கு வர்ரத்துக்கு முன்னாலேயே எங்களுக்கு இவ்ளோ பயப்பட்ரிங்க
அப்ப அவ்ளோ தப்பு பன்னிருக்கிங்க💯 pic.twitter.com/uKH5UOOB80— 𝐓𝐕𝐊 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐮 (@TVK_Dinshu) April 23, 2026
In Namakkal, officials seized cash from a TVK functionary.
நாமக்கல் பகுதியில் தவெக வாக்குக்கு பணம் கொடுக்கும் போது கையும் களவுமாக பிடிபட்ட தவெக தற்குறிகள்…. pic.twitter.com/86BD6Ob7Ig
— தல அரவிந்த் (@aravinth43AK) April 21, 2026
State Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik said, “The total amount intercepted since the MCC came into effect is Rs 1,262 crore, and the total amount seized by agencies is Rs 543 crore. Wherever MCC has been violated, FIRs have been filed. We are taking action on all complaints received.”
#WATCH | Chennai | Ahead of polling Tamil Nadu Assembly elections tomorrow, State Chief Electoral Officer, Archana Patnaik says, "The total amount intercepted (since MCC coming into effect) is Rs 1262 crore, and the total amount seized by agencies is Rs 543 crores. Wherever MCC… pic.twitter.com/2n7LLCrebn
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2026
Boycott:
In Vengaivayal in Pudukottai district, 61 Scheduled Caste residents boycotted the election. In nearby Eraiyur, an SC hamlet withdrew their boycott. This was to register protest against inaction and failure to arrest culprits who mixed human excreta in an overhead water tank supplying drinking water in December 2022. The area has 549 votes, of which 69 are from Vengaivayal. Only eight cast their votes.
Action Against TNCC President:
The Income Tax Department on the 21st filed a complaint against Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selva Perunthagai for alleged dissemination of false information on 20th April that IT officials confined him during a search operation in Sriperumpudur. In a statement, V Rajitha, Commissioner of Income Tax and official spokesperson of CBDT, clarified that no such search or enforcement action was carried out against him.
