Tamil Nadu sees 84.51% turnout as voting ends across 234 seats; results on May 4

Around 82.24 per cent of the 5.73 crore eligible voters cast their votes in the elections, marking a record turnout.

Published on: Apr 23, 2026, 19:34:04 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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Polling for all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu concluded at 6 pm on Thursday, recording a turnout of 84.51 per cent. Voters who had reached polling stations before the deadline were allowed to cast their ballots. The election was conducted in a single phase, with voting taking place from 7 am to 6 pm.

Voters queue up to cast their votes outside a polling station during the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections in Berhampore, Murshidabad district. (AFP)

While Chennai recorded a turnout of 83.03 per cent, Coimbatore 84.35 per cent, Madurai 80.15 per cent. Karur was the highest at 91.86 per cent.

Around 84.51 per cent of the 5.73 crore eligible voters cast their votes in the elections, marking a record turnout. This figure was recorded till 5 pm, with officials stating that the final numbers will be released after data consolidation. Follow LIVE updates here

Voting took place at 75,064 polling stations spread across 33,133 locations, where 4,023 candidates are contesting.

MK Stalin cast his vote in Chennai

Senior political leaders and several public figures were among those who voted early in the day. Chief Minister MK Stalin cast his vote in Chennai, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami voted in Salem. Actor-politicians Vijay, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Ajith Kumar were also seen at polling booths before 9 am.

Turnout trends across districts

Initial turnout figures showed variation across districts. Tiruppur recorded the highest participation at 62.97 per cent, while the Nilgiris reported the lowest turnout at 50.42 per cent during the course of the day.

In Tamil Nadu, the main battle is shaping up between the ruling Congress and DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and the BJP-AIADMK coalition. However, the entry of actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has added a fresh layer of competition, turning the election into a multi-cornered contest.

Candidates in the Fray

A total of 4,023 candidates are contesting across the state. MK Stalin is seeking re-election from Kolathur in Chennai, while Udhayanidhi Stalin is contesting from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni. Edappadi K. Palaniswami is in the fray from Edappadi in Salem district. Vijay is contesting from Perambur in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli East.

Looking back at 2021 results

In the 2021 Assembly elections, the DMK-led alliance secured 159 seats out of 234, while the AIADMK-led coalition won 75 seats.

During the campaign, the DMK framed the contest as one between Tamil Nadu and the “Delhi-NDA”, referring to the BJP-led Centre. The AIADMK, in response, raised issues including alleged dynasty politics, law and order concerns, rising debt, and safety-related claims.

Election authorities deployed around 1,700 companies of central armed police forces across the state to ensure security. Mock polling exercises were conducted in advance, including at Chennai High School, to test preparedness and ensure smooth conduct on polling day.

The counting of votes will take place on May 4. The results will determine the composition of the next government in Tamil Nadu. The tenure of the current Assembly is scheduled to end on May 10.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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