People wait to cast their vote at a polling station during the Tamil Nadu state assembly elections in Chennai on Thursday. (Source: AP Photo)
Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Tamil Nadu recorded a strong voter turnout of 56.81% by 1 PM in the ongoing Assembly elections, showing steady participation across the state. Several districts reported notably high polling figures, with Tiruppur leading at 62.97%, followed closely by Namakkal (62.51%), Erode (61.79%) and Salem (61.42%). 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 1 pm
District
Voting Percentage
Ariyalur
55.18
Chengalpattu
56.28
Chennai
54.58
Coimbatore
58.24
Cuddalore
55.13
Dharmapuri
59.02
Kallakurichi
57.15
Kanniyakumari
50.35
Karur
60.77
Krishnagiri
56.21
Madurai
54.75
Mayiladuthurai
53.59
Nagapattinam
57.07
Namakkal
62.51
Perambalur
57.55
Pudukkottai
56.78
Ramanathapuram
51.54
Ranipet
58.62
Salem
61.42
Sivganga
53.5
Tenkasi
54.24
The Nilgiris
50.42
Theni
55.63
Thiruvallur
55.45
Thiruvarur
56
Thoothukudi
52.55
Tiruchirappalli
57.66
Tirunelveli
50.73
Tiruppur
62.97
Tiruvannamalai
58.23
Vellore
57.59
Viluppuram
58.23
Virudhunagar
57.27
Dindigul
59.79
Erode
61.79
Kaancheepuram
58.98
Live Updates
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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