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

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: A bride and groom cast their votes for the assembly election right after their wedding ceremony in Kanchipuram.

"Voting is a duty. Everyone must fulfil it... Casting a vote on a wedding day is an unforgettable experience," the groom said while speaking to news agency ANI.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Actor Trisha Krishnan cast her vote for the assembly election at a polling booth in Chennai.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Actor Jiva cast his vote in Chennai. Speaking to news agency ANI, he said, "It is our responsibility to vote. I am confident that the state will benefit from the youth's participation."

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Actor VTV Ganesh cast his vote and expressed support for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), saying he believes the party and its leader Vijay can bring change.

"I cast my vote to TVK. Vijay is a perfect fit to upgrade the society, people and the system... I want him to become the CM," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.

He also appealed to young voters to actively participate in the electoral process. "Young voters should exercise their voting rights."

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: TVK chief Vijay has written to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, in his letter, Vijay said thousands of voters were stranded at major bus terminals in Chennai and other cities, claiming it amounted to a violation of voting rights. He called the situation an “intentional attempt at misplanning” by the state transport system.

“I am writing to you in a state of deep concern and indignation over the complete transport paralysis. Thousands of voters are stranded at bus terminals in Chennai, and similarly in other metro cities across Tamil Nadu, with no buses or alternative public transport available to reach their designated polling booths. This is not a minor inconvenience-it seems an intentional attempt at misplanning by the State Transport corporation and administration, which is an outright assault on the fundamental right to vote guaranteed under the Constitution of India.”

Vijay urged the Election Commission to immediately step in and deploy additional transport arrangements to help stranded voters reach polling stations.

“There are reports from the polling stations of voters waiting in long queues to cast their votes, but the polling process is slow. Such delays would discourage and may affect voter turnout,” he further wrote.

Seeking relief for delayed voters, Vijay also demanded an extension of polling hours till 8 pm, saying the Election Commission had the authority to do so in exceptional circumstances.

Tamil Nadu has recorded a voter turnout of 37.56 per cent till 11 am, according to data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The capital Chennai registered a turnout of 35.47%.

Kumarapalayam (97) in Namakkal reported the highest turnout at 45.87%, while Palayamkottai (226) in Tirunelveli recorded the lowest at 30.73%.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Tamil Nadu has recorded an overall voter turnout of 37.56% as of 11 am, according to the Election Commission's (ECI) data.

• Namakkal - 45.87%
• Erode – 41%
• Salem – 40.56%
• Tiruppur – 42.45%
• Tiruchirappalli – 38.08%
• Thiruvarur – 37.19%
• Ranipet – 38.70%
• Namakkal – 41.41%
• Karur – 39.70%
• Dindigul – 39.05%
• Dharmapuri – 38.28%
• Coimbatore – 38.62%
• Chennai – 35.47%

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Tamil Nadu has recorded an overall voter turnout of 37.56% as of 11 am, according to the Election Commission's (ECI) data.

Among constituencies, Kumarapalayam (97) in Namakkal reported the highest turnout at 45.87%, while Palayamkottai (226) in Tirunelveli recorded the lowest at 30.73%.

Chennai registered a turnout of 35.47% during the same period.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Tamil Nadu has recorded a voter turnout of 37.56 per cent till 11 am, according to data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI), as polling continues across the state in a single-phase election.

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, along with his wife Srinidhi and daughter Aditi, showed their inked fingers after casting their votes in Sivaganga as polling continued across Tamil Nadu.

Speaking after voting, Karti Chidambaram urged citizens to participate in large numbers and treat voting as both a right and responsibility.

“Not just youngsters, all those who are registered to vote must vote. Voting, while it's our privilege, is also our right and duty. All people in the world don't have the right to vote. Many countries are not democracies, we should be proud that India is a functioning democracy and we must exercise our right to vote,” reported news agency ANI.

He also expressed confidence in his alliance’s performance.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: DMK deputy general secretary A Raja said that voters in Tamil Nadu are backing the ruling alliance as an endorsement of its governance model and welfare initiatives.

“People are casting their votes as an endorsement of the ongoing Dravidian model of governance and the various welfare schemes implemented under it... Voters are supporting the secular alliance in appreciation of CM MK Stalin’s political maturity, leadership, and development initiatives, and with the intention of preventing fascist forces from gaining ground in Tamil Nadu... DMK alliance would win more than 200 constituencies across Tamil Nadu, and MK Stalin will once again become the chief minister,” reported news agency ANI.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, along with his wife Prithi Narayanan, arrived at a polling station in Chennai.

Speaking after voting, Ashwin said the election holds significant importance for the state and urged citizens to participate actively.

"I think this is a very important election in Tamil Nadu. Just wanted to come and exercise my right. I have done my job; now everybody has to do theirs. Hopefully, whoever comes to power will change the face of Tamil Nadu."

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Voters queue to cast their vote outside a polling station during the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections in Chennai on April 23, 2026.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: DMK MP Kanimozhi cast her vote at CSI St. Ebba’s School in Chennai as polling continued across Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: State deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Thursday expressed confidence that the DMK will return to power in the Assembly elections.

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in Chennai, the DMK youth wing secretary also urged people to participate in large numbers.

Asked about his confidence in the party’s prospects, he said, "I am very confident."

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: State school education minister and DMK candidate from Thiruverumbur constituency Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi cast his vote on Thursday at a polling station in Tiruchirappalli as voting continued across the state.

Speaking to reporters after voting, he stressed the importance of voter participation.

"If you want to choose a leader for yourselves, if you want to choose your MLA, it's not enough to just raise your voice. You must come to the polling booth and ensure 100% voting. We expect the people of Tamil Nadu to vote in large numbers. Instead of planning to go later, make it your first task and duty," news agency ANI quoted Poyyamozhi as saying.

Reflecting on his electoral journey, he said: “This is my third time contesting. In 2016, as a first-timer, I didn't know much. By 2021, people were stopping me to ask about unfulfilled promises. Now, in 2026, those same people are welcoming me warmly, acknowledging that I have delivered on my word. It is very heartening”.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: BJP leader K Annamalai expressed confidence that voters in Tamil Nadu would make a considered decision.

He added: "I hope and pray that people have reflected on the past five years of the previous government and will make the right choice, one that benefits the people of Tamil Nadu for the next five years. I urge all citizens to come out and fulfill their democratic duty. It is a hot day, and I understand it may not be easy, especially for the elderly. However, the Election Commission has made arrangements such as chairs and drinking water for their comfort. I request everyone to turn out in large numbers and cast their vote," reported PTI.

“I am very confident that people will make the right choice today. Today marks the end of campaigning, and as a responsible public figure, I am not supposed to say anything further,” Annamalai said.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Senior journalist N Ram has commented on the possible impact of actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the Assembly elections, noting that even without winning many seats, the party’s vote share could be significant.

"If Vijay scores, let's say, over 20% of the vote. That may not translate to many seats. But if he scores that, then I think it will be a much bigger win than normal. You're talking about 180 sort of thing for the alliance. But in a normal situation, you would expect 155, 160 for the DMK-led alliance and a single-party majority for the DMK. They also have their organisation strengthened on the ground. I have seen the way the chief minister worked," reported news agency PTI.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: BJP leader K Annamalai was seen waiting in line with other voters at PSG Arts and Science College in Coimbatore before casting his vote.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: BJP candidate from the Mylapore Assembly constituency, Tamilisai Soundararajan, said she extended greetings to chief minister MK Stalin.

"I just wished MK Stalin, because he is the Chief Minister and here, he is a voter and a candidate. This is the beauty of democracy. Women's voice should be heard more in the Assembly, so all the voters should support my candidature because I want to be a representative of the voiceless..." she said, reported ANI.

She further added that there is visible support for change among voters in the constituency.

"People are happy that I am contesting here and their mood is for a change and to bring NDA."

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: TVK chief and candidate from Tiruchirappalli East and Perambur constituencies, Vijay, has written to the Chief Election Commissioner requesting an extension of polling hours by two hours.

"Extend polling hours by two hours: In view of the large surge of delayed voters due to travel disruptions, and long-queue waiting imperatives, polling must be extended till 8:00 pm across all affected constituencies," the letter reads.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Namakkal has recorded the highest voter turnout at 19.83 per cent, while Nilgiris has reported the lowest at 15.54 per cent in the early hours of polling. The total turnout stands at 17.69 per cent by 9:00 am.

- reports S Vijay Karthik

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: BJP state president and Sattur candidate Nainar Nagendran cast his vote at the Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Silver Jubilee School polling station in Tirunelveli as polling continues across the state.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Tamil Nadu has recorded a voter turnout of 17.69% till 9:00 am, according to Election Commission of India.

Early morning queues were seen at several polling booths, contributing to a steady start in voter participation.

Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE: Actor Dhanush cast his vote at the Kamarajar Road Corporation School polling station in Chennai as voting continues across the state, reported PTI.