Chennai
Voters turned out in large numbers across Tamil Nadu on Thursday as polling was held for all 234 Assembly constituencies in a fiercely contested election involving the ruling DMK, opposition AIADMK and actor-politician Vijay’s TVK.
According to Election Commission data, 37.56 per cent of the state’s 5.73 crore electorate had cast their votes by 11 am, indicating brisk participation during the first four hours of polling.
The principal battle is between the DMK and AIADMK, while Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) are also seeking to make significant gains.
Polling began at 7 am at more than 75,000 booths after mock drills were completed successfully. Voters from all age groups queued up at polling stations across cities and rural areas.
Chief Minister M K Stalin cast his vote in Chennai along with his wife Durga Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. Expressing confidence, he said, “Tamil Nadu will win,” echoing his campaign line that the election was a battle between the “Tamil Nadu team” and the “Delhi team.”
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, after voting in Salem district, said he was confident of the party’s return to power and urged citizens to participate enthusiastically.
Several senior leaders and celebrities cast their votes during the morning hours. Among them were Congress veteran P Chidambaram, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan, NTK chief Seeman, Union Minister L Murugan, BJP leader Khushbu Sundar, actor Rajinikanth, actor Ajith Kumar, Kamal Haasan, Premalatha Vijayakanth, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss and BJP leader K Annamalai. Vijay also cast his vote in Chennai.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the people of Tamil Nadu, especially youth and women, to vote in record numbers, calling it a “sacred duty of democracy.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged voters to choose a government that would fulfill public aspirations rather than family ambitions. BJP president J P Nadda also appealed for strong participation, criticising the ruling government over corruption and law and order issues.
A total of 4,023 candidates are in the fray. Voting is being conducted at 75,064 polling booths across 33,133 locations. The electorate includes 2.93 crore women, 2.83 crore men and 7,728 third-gender voters.
The Election Commission has deployed over one lakh ballot units along with control units and VVPAT machines. To ensure smooth polling, reserve EVMs and VVPATs have also been kept ready. Security arrangements include 300 companies of Central Armed Police Forces and more than 83,000 state police personnel.
Tamil Nadu also has over 14.5 lakh first-time voters and nearly four lakh voters aged 85 and above, many of whom had already availed the home-voting option.
Meanwhile, the BJP staged protests in Chennai alleging misuse of the DMK’s election symbol, while party leader Vanathi Srinivasan accused the ruling party of distributing money in Coimbatore North.
Vijay urged the Election Commission to extend polling hours till 8 pm, citing long queues and delays at some booths. He also requested emergency public transport services to help voters reach polling stations.
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The DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance is seeking a second straight term with allies including Congress, Left parties and VCK. The AIADMK-led alliance, backed by the BJP, PMK and AMMK, is hoping to reclaim power. TVK, meanwhile, is attempting to challenge the decades-old dominance of the two Dravidian majors.
