Tamil Nadu election 2026 highlights: Parties to keep vigil on strong rooms storing EVMs

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Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: As the Election Commission shifted EVMs to the strong rooms following polling on Thursday, political parties including ruling DMK and the AIADMK and have decided to maintain 24/7 shift-based vigil at the designated centres. Though multiple security systems including central armed police force, Tamil Nadu special police teams were in place, political parties have deployed their cadres to ensure the safety of EVMs, reported PTI.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Kangeyam AIADMK candidate NS Natarajan has filed a complaint against DMK rival and minister MP Saminathan over alleged polling booth violation, PTI reported.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin called the high turnout as an election for an entire generation. “People braved the scorching sun to exercise their franchise. Many travelled long distances to cast their votes and returned to their workplaces on Thursday night,” he said.

"Rather than thinking 'it's just one vote,' the belief that 'this is an election for an entire generation' may have been the driving force behind this enthusiasm. My commendations to all such responsible citizens," the CM said in a social media post.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: PMK leader Dr Anbumani Ramadoss on Friday exuded confidence over the high turnout in Tamil Nadu elections and claimed that it will pave way for change in government.

“Everyone can clearly understand that these votes are indeed for a change of government. It is for this very verdict that the people of Tamil Nadu have been waiting. This verdict will liberate the people of Tamil Nadu from a evil regime,” he said.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay called the turnout in Tamil Nadu as a "pinnacle historical event" in the history of the state's election politics. He added that the "victory is certain". Taking to X, Vijay reflected his thoughts on politics, voter participation, and the recent conluded state Assembly elections.

“Politics is something only for some celestial warriors. Only for those with excessive experience. Only for those who enjoy positions. The illusory calculations of those who confined and controlled politics within such specific boundaries have been shattered and crushed by ordinary people,” he said.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Friday met the DMK candidates a day after the state voted enthusiastically recording 85.15 per cent voting. He interacted with the candidates from Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts at the party headquarters Anna Arivalayam regarding the voter turnout on April 23, a source in the party told PTI.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Reacting to the record voter turnout in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Vijay said the scale of participation marks an unprecedented moment in the state’s electoral history.

“85% voter turnout is something Tamil Nadu has never seen until now. Calling elections a festival of democracy was truly felt yesterday,” he said.

Describing the high participation as a defining political moment, he added, “As the people of Tamil Nadu who have redefined Tamil election politics, I offer my gratitude as an offering to all of you.”

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Tamil Nadu registered its highest-ever voter turnout of 85.15 per cent on Thursday when polling was held across 234 Assembly constituencies, according to Election Commission figures.

District-wise trends showed strong participation across the state, with Karur emerging on top at 92.63 per cent, followed by Salem at 90.76 per cent. Kanniyakumari recorded the lowest turnout at 75.61 per cent.

Election Commission sources said on Friday that the figure is provisional and based on data received from a subset of polling stations.

“These figures are not final and are based on data received from a subset of polling stations. The data is dynamic and is continuously updated as new information becomes available,” a senior EC official said.

Officials also clarified that the overall turnout figures do not include postal ballots, which are compiled separately and added to the final official count.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Even as voting across Tamil Nadu concluded on Thursday evening, exit poll trends were not immediately available, with the Election Commission of India barring their release for elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, as well as bypolls to eight Assembly constituencies, until polling across all states is complete.

As per the directive, conducting or publishing exit polls through print or electronic media is prohibited from 7 am on April 9 until 6.30 pm on April 29, when polling across all states concludes.

Exit poll coverage will be available after voting ends across all states on April 29, including on Hindustantimes.com.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Reacting to the strong voter participation in the Assembly elections, Tamil Nadu Congress chief K Selvaperunthagai said the turnout reflects people’s resolve to safeguard the state’s identity and interests.

"Tamil Nadu people want to save their state, protect the literature, protect the Tamil language, and protect the soil of Tamil Nadu from the BJP and AIADMK. That's why people are coming forward to vote…” he said.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: As the Election Commission moved Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units to strong rooms after polling on April 23, major political parties in Tamil Nadu have stepped up security oversight with round-the-clock monitoring, reported PTI.

With counting of votes scheduled for May 4, both the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK have deployed party workers in shift-based rotations to maintain continuous vigil at designated counting centres across the state.

Despite the official security arrangements, parties say their cadre presence is meant to ensure additional transparency and confidence in the safeguarding process.

RM Babu Murugavel told the news agency that the party has arranged continuous monitoring at the centres as part of its internal oversight mechanism ahead of counting day.

The EVMs and VVPATs have already been secured in strong rooms under multi-layered protection, including Central Armed Police Force personnel, Tamil Nadu Special Police units and local police forces.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: With polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections concluding on April 23, election officials have begun shifting sealed Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), VVPATs and other poll materials to strong rooms across the state.

The movement of machines was carried out under tight security arrangements, with heavy deployment of police and armed forces escorting the consignments to designated counting centres, reported news agency PTI.

Officials said the EVMs have been moved to 62 counting centres, where votes polled in all 234 Assembly constituencies will be counted on May 4.

Multi-layered security has been put in place at all counting centres. The strong rooms housing the EVMs are under round-the-clock surveillance, guarded by Central Armed Police Force personnel, Tamil Nadu Special Police and local police, an official said.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: As polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on Thursday, the state recorded a voter turnout of 84.80 per cent, according to the latest data released by the Election Commission of India.

Karur recorded the highest turnout at 92.48 per cent, followed by Salem at 90.42 per cent, Dharmapuri at 90.02 per cent, Erode at 89.97 per cent, and Namakkal at 89.63 per cent.

Voting percentage, also called voter turnout, refers to the share of eligible voters who cast their vote in an election. It is expressed as a percentage of the total registered electorate.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: The DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan said the rise in voter turnout percentage in Tamil Nadu should be interpreted in the context of changes to the electoral rolls following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

Speaking to ANI, TKS Elangovan pointed to differences in absolute vote numbers between the last election and the current one.

“In 2021, before SIR, the total number of votes polled was 4.63 crore. Post SIR in this election, the total number of votes polled is around 4 crore 82 lakhs. So, around 19 lakh votes have only increased...There is not much difference...” he said.

He added that the higher percentage does not necessarily indicate a significant jump in voter participation when viewed in real terms.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Reacting to the high voter turnout in Tamil Nadu, union minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth said the strong polling reflects both confidence in the electoral process and growing public dissatisfaction with the ruling DMK.

“Indian democracy is strong. Every Indian is proud that the Election Commission of India conducts elections in a fair and independent manner. The Election Commission's hard work has paid off and the voter turnout was high,” news agency ANI quoted him as saying.

Focusing on Tamil Nadu, he claimed that anger among women voters against the DMK would translate into electoral gains for the BJP. “The same situation prevails in Tamil Nadu, where the women are angry with DMK. Women are angry over the betrayal they have faced regarding the Women's Reservation Bill. The BJP is set to win with a massive majority,” he said.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Reacting to the high voter turnout in the first phase of Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, Mallikarjun Kharge struck a cautious note, saying, “Let us wait and see.”

While Tamil Nadu voted in a single phase on Thursday, West Bengal is going to the polls in two phases, with the second round scheduled for April 29.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: The AIADMK on Thursday linked the high voter turnout in Tamil Nadu to a growing anti-incumbency sentiment against the ruling DMK.

“The rise in votes is not unprecedented. Last time it was 4.64 crore, this time it's about another 23 lakh more, which clearly signals that the anti-incumbency has really played its role in a larger way,” ANI quoted him as saying.

He also credited the ECI for ensuring a smooth voting process. “There was no violence in Tamil Nadu today. DMK couldn't flex their muscle during the time of elections. The same with TMC. There were some untoward incidents here and there, which was dealt with iron hands,” he said.

Congratulating the poll panel, he added, “This marks the end of those kinds of people who bank on bogus voters, indulge in violence, and booth capturing during elections, and those parties who take the law into their own hands.”

Taking a swipe at new entrant TVK, Sathyan said, “The newcomer Vijay has raised the expectations, but he doesn't have the organisation's strength or muscle power to harvest those voters in his favour."

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: The DMK sharpened its attack over Tamil Nadu’s high polling percentage, calling claims around a “record turnout” misleading and rooted in changes to the voter base.

Party spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said the rise in polling percentage was a result of fewer registered voters after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), not a dramatic surge in participation.

Targeting the Election Commission, he added, “The CEC taking credit for this is the biggest joke. You should have started SIR two years ago. There are so many stories on social media about people not being able to vote due to this. Right now, the basic idea of SIR is to exclude and not include,” reported ANI.

“The polling percentage is higher because the denominator has come down. You brought the number of voters down by introducing SIR, and now you are saying that the polling percentage is higher. This is not unprecedented. It is as per the traditional numbers. It is normal, as in every election, 40-50 lakh eligible voters get added,” he said.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said the spike in percentage is largely due to a reduced voter base after the SIR exercise.

“The percentage is higher because the denominator has come down. This is elementary mathematics. You have brought the number of voters down by introducing SIR. Now you're saying, 'Wow, look at this poll percentage!' That is not something unprecedented, nor is this something which is out of the way, as some claim," he said.

"Whoever tracks numbers, especially with regard to an election, they are very clear that this is a normal thing,” news agency ANI quoted him as saying.

The DMK on Thursday downplayed the surge in voter turnout in Tamil Nadu, attributing it to changes in the total electorate following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Party spokesperson TKS Elangovan said the increase in percentage should be seen in the context of absolute numbers. “In 2021, before SIR, the total number of votes polled was 4.63 crore. Post SIR in this election, the total number of votes polled is around 4 crore 82 lakhs. So, around 19 lakh votes have only increased...There is not much difference,” he said, reported ANI.

He added that a higher turnout percentage does not necessarily reflect a sharp rise in voter participation when viewed in absolute terms.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: As polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections concluded on Thursday, voting machines in Erode were sealed and moved to strong rooms under a strict three-tier security arrangement.

Even as voting across Tamil Nadu concluded on Thursday evening, exit poll trends were not immediately available, with the Election Commission of India barring their release for elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, as well as bypolls to eight Assembly constituencies, until polling across all states is complete.

As per the directive, conducting or publishing exit polls through print or electronic media is prohibited from 7 am on April 9 until 6.30 pm on April 29, when polling across all states concludes.

Exit poll coverage will be available after voting ends across all states on April 29, including on Hindustantimes.com.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Edappadi constituency in Salem recorded a high voter turnout of 91.61 per cent, emerging as one of the most keenly watched seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Edappadi K Palaniswami, the AIADMK general secretary and former chief minister, is contesting from his traditional stronghold and faces a challenge from the DMK.

The contest has taken a sharper turn with Vijay’s TVK entering the fray indirectly. After its candidate’s nomination papers were rejected on technical grounds during scrutiny, the party has extended support to an independent candidate in the constituency, adding another layer to the fight.

Tamil Nadu recorded a high voter turnout in the Assembly elections on Thursday, with over 84 per cent of the electorate casting their votes across 234 constituencies.

According to the Election Commission of India, polling stood at 84.29 per cent till 6 pm. Officials indicated that the final figure could rise further as late data gets compiled.

The turnout has already surpassed the previous record of 78.29 per cent seen in the 2011 Assembly elections, which the AIADMK had swept.

District-wise, Karur recorded the highest turnout at 91.86 per cent. Among major cities, Chennai saw 83.09 per cent polling, Madurai 80.15 per cent, Coimbatore 84.40 per cent, and Tiruchirappalli 85.04 per cent.

In Chennai’s Kolathur constituency, where MK Stalin is contesting, voter turnout reached 85.63 per cent by the close of polling.