Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 | State records massive 85.11% voter turnout

Chennai: For the first time since Independence, Tamil Nadu recorded a massive 85.11 per cent turnout in the elections to elect the 17th Assembly with people across the state stepping out of their homes in droves on Thursday to exercise their democratic right.

The increase in percentage can be attributed to the deletion of over 70 lakh voters in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). In absolute numbers, however, the turnout was not truly unprecedented, as only an additional 22 lakh people voted this election when compared to the 2021 assembly polls – the state usually records an addition of 30 lakh votes every assembly election.

While the total number of votes polled in 2016 was 4.36 crore (74.5 per cent turnout) and increased to 4.63 crore (73.6 per cent) in 2021, about 4.90 crore voters are believed to have exercised their franchise now. At 9.27 pm, the ECI website showed the turnout in Tamil Nadu was 85.11 per cent.

Several districts in the state, especially in the northern and western regions, recorded over 90 per cent. Karur district topped the list at 92.54 per cent followed by Salem (90.72 per cent), Dharmapuri (90.14 per cent), Erode (90.10 per cent), and Namakkal (90.0%). Southern districts like Tenkasi, Madurai, and Tirunelveli polled much less.

The lowest turnout in the state was in Sivaganga at 76.58 per cent, while Chennai threw a surprise at 83.72 per cent, a historic percentage for the city which generally records low turnout.

Officials said the polling percentage registered on Thursday is subject to change.

Constituencies from where Chief Ministerial candidates are entering the fray also recorded a huge turn out with Edappadi (AIADMK’s Edappadi K Palaniswami) registered the highest turnout at 91.43 per cent, followed by Perambur (TVK chief C Joseph Vijay) at 89.12 per cent and M K Stalin (DMK) at 85.47 per cent.

Karaikudi from where Seeman is contesting recorded 73.63 per cent votes, while Tiruchi (east), Vijay's second seat, recorded 81.51 per cent.

Stalin wrote in a message on X that he was proud of Tamil Nadu for voting in record numbers. “Tamil Nadu has voted. On May 4, Tamil Nadu will win,” he added.

In the morning, as thousands of people were stranded at various places due to “complete transport paralysis”, Vijay urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to extend polling hours by two hours till 8 pm.

In a letter to Chief Electoral Officer (Tamil Nadu), Archana Patnaik, Vijay said 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 mis-planning by the State Transport corporation and administration which is an outright assault on the fundamental right to vote guaranteed under the Constitution of India,” he said.

Public transport services, especially in Chennai, failed, leaving thousands of voters travelling to their native towns and villages to exercise their franchise stranded. Traffic snarls were reported across the city through the night of April 22. Many complained it took over five hours to travel 35 km, even as travellers held impromptu protests at the Kilambakkam mofussil bus terminus against the lack of bus services.

Cities like Chennai and Coimbatore generally witness a huge rush on the eve of election day as thousands of people travel to cast their votes. Though there was a huge rush during the 2019, 2021, and 2024 polls, a cursory reading of television footage reveals that the number of people travelling this time could be high, especially youngsters.

“It took over five hours to reach Kilambakkam from Koyambedu in Chennai by a bus. Reached the terminus at 4 am and now going home,” K A Punnaivalavan, a journalist, wrote on his X page. He also said frustrated youngsters shouted slogans seeking to know what happened to “1 lakh buses.”