Tamil Nadu election 2026 highlights: Polling ends across 234 seats, 84.51% turnout

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE" The Tamil Nadu Transport Department has ramped up services from Chennai by operating special buses to facilitate voters ahead of polling day.

In a post on X, the department said, “As of midnight 24.00 hours on 21.04.2026, the usual 2,092 buses were fully operated, along with an additional 1,339 special buses. Thus, a total of 3,431 buses were operated, and 1,88,705 passengers traveled.”

It added, “From 22.04.2026 to this morning (23.04.2026) as of 7.00 hours, the usual 2,580 buses were fully operated, along with an additional 4,158 special buses. Thus, a total of 6,738 buses were operated, and 4.38 lakh passengers traveled.”

“From 21.04.2026 to this morning (23.04.2026) as of 7 am, 6.27 lakh passengers have traveled,” the department said.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Union minister Piyush Goyal appealed to voters in Tamil Nadu to turn out in large numbers and cast their ballots, stressing the importance of every vote in shaping the state’s future.

"Vote for development, progress & prosperity! Tamil Nadu today has an opportunity to change its fate. I appeal to all eligible voters to go out in large numbers and cast their votes.

Every single vote holds the power to shape a brighter, more developed future for Tamil Nadu. Make it count."

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: DMK leader abd state CM MK Stalin appealed to voters to step out in large numbers and participate in the polling process. He urged people to fulfil their democratic rights without fail as Tamil Nadu votes in single-phase today.

- reports S Vijay Karthik

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK candidate from Kolathur, MK Stalin, arrived at at SIET College in Chennai to cast his vote.

He was accompanied by family members, including his son and deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, as they joined voters in exercising their franchise.

- reports S Vijay Karthik

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: After casting his vote, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss said polling day marked a significant moment for the state. “Today is voting day in Tamil Nadu, and polling is underway. I feel that Tamil Nadu is, in a way, gaining independence today,” he said, reported PTI.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Tamil superstar Rajinikanth, along with his daughter Soundarya, cast their votes at the Stella Maris College polling station in Chennai as polling continues across the state.

Their arrival drew attention at the booth, with voters and onlookers gathering as they exercised their franchise.

- reports S Vijay Karthik

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Visuals show TVK chief and candidate from Tiruchirappalli East and Perambur constituencies, Vijay (@TVKVijayHQ), casting his vote at Vaels International School in Chennai as polling continues across the state.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge appealed to voters in Tamil Nadu to participate actively in the Assembly elections, framing the contest as a fight to safeguard key democratic principles.

“The fight today is to secure your rights. The fight is to protect federalism, rationality, equality, justice and freedom,” he said in a post on X.

“It is also to ensure inclusive welfare and retain the ideals of social justice espoused by your icons. It is time for you to exercise your Democratic right and take a stand against those who want to snatch your federal rights,” he added.

Kharge further urged the first-time voters to come out in large numbers and exercise their franchise.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Actor-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C Joseph Vijay cast his vote at a polling station set up in a school in Neelangarai, Chennai.

His arrival drew attention at the booth, with tight security arrangements in place to ensure smooth and orderly voting.

- reports S Vijay Karthik

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: TVK chief Vijay, who is contesting from Tiruchirappalli East and Perambur constituencies, arrived at a polling station in Chennai to cast his vote as polling continues across Tamil Nadu, reported news agency ANI.

His visit drew attention at the booth, with security in place to ensure smooth movement and orderly voting.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: A crowd gathered outside the polling station as actor and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan, along with his daughter Shruti Haasan, arrived to cast their votes at Chennai High School on Eldams Road in Teynampet, reported news agency PTI.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Actor Ajith Kumar cast his vote at a polling station in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, during the ongoing Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, reportedly drawing large crowds to the venue.

His arrival triggered chaotic scenes outside the polling booth as fans and onlookers gathered in huge numbers to catch a glimpse of the actor, reported Times of India. Police personnel were deployed at the spot to manage the crowd, it added.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Actor Gautham Ram Karthik cast his vote at Stella Maris College polling station in Chennai, joining early voters as polling continues across the state.

Actor S Ajith Kumar also exercised his franchise at a polling station in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, drawing attention as fans gathered around polling areas.

In Salem, AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami voted at a polling station set up at a Panchayat Union Primary School in Siluvampalayam in his Edappadi constituency.

BJP candidate from the Mylapore Assembly constituency, Tamilisai Soundararajan, cast her vote at a polling station in Chennai.

IIT Madras Director Veezhinathan Kamakoti also exercised his franchise at a polling station in Chennai’s Mylapore

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: The counting of votes for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections will take place on May 4, when the results are scheduled to be declared.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Voters can easily download their voter slip online through the Election Commission of India portal.

To access it, log in using your registered mobile number or email ID on the official website. Once logged in, select the E-EPIC download option.

Enter your EPIC number and choose your state to view your details. The Voter Information Slip will then appear on the screen, which can be downloaded and saved for use on polling day.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Voting was briefly delayed at Booth 295 in Thoothukudi’s Duvipuram after a malfunction was reported in the control unit of the electronic voting machine, reported news agency PTI.

Officials are working to fix the issue, and polling is expected to resume once the technical glitch is addressed.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami cast his vote along with family members in his hometown, the Edappadi Assembly segment in Salem district.

He also appealed to voters to step out in large numbers and exercise their democratic rights, stressing the importance of active participation in the electoral process.

For readers looking for the complete list of candidates contesting from the DMK and AIADMK across all 234 constituencies, the full details have been compiled separately. DMK full list | AIADMK full list.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Voting for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections is being held from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm across the state today.

All 234 constituencies are voting in a single phase, giving voters an 11-hour window to cast their ballots. People are advised to reach polling stations early to avoid queues during peak hours.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: P Soundararajan, husband of BJP candidate from the Mylapore Assembly constituency, Tamilisai Soundararajan, expressed confidence in a strong showing for the NDA as polling gets underway.

"I have gone around the entire constituency. It is going to be a huge success for NDA, especially for my wife in Mylapore...The unmet demands will be met by wife. We are very confident for the victory," reported news agency ANI.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram casts his vote and shows his inked finger, at a polling station in Karaikudi, Sivaganga.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 live updates: BJP leader Khushbu Sundar arrived at the Sri Chaitanya Techno School polling station in Chennai to cast her vote, joining early voters as polling got underway.

Speaking to reporters, she said, "People have right to question any government. I think it is a fundamental duty. One day is a holiday, let us relax and sleep, don't do that. Just get out of your house and cast your vote."

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: As voting for all 234 Assembly seats got underway on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to urge people to participate in large numbers.

"As the people of Tamil Nadu prepare to vote in the Assembly elections, I urge all voters to fulfill this sacred democratic duty with great enthusiasm. In particular, I call upon the youth and women of Tamil Nadu to turn out in large numbers and pave the way for a record turnout of votes."

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Voting has begun across Tamil Nadu for the Assembly elections amid tight security arrangements, with polling stations opening to voters early in the morning.

Scenes of long queues were visible outside several polling booths even before voting officially started, as people lined up to cast their ballots. Authorities have put in place extensive security measures to ensure smooth and peaceful polling across the state.

Polling has officially begun across Tamil Nadu for the crucial Assembly elections, with voters lining up early at booths across the state.

Over 5.73 crore eligible voters are set to cast their ballots today, deciding the electoral fate of 4,023 candidates in the fray. The voting will determine who forms the next government in the 234-member Assembly.