Voting for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections is underway, with a voter turnout of 37.56% recorded by 11 AM on April 23, 2026. The Election Commission of India (ECI) data indicates a steady participation across the state, with Namakkal and Erode districts reporting the highest turnouts exceeding 41% by the same time. Chennai district recorded 35.47% turnout in the initial hours.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that amidst the ongoing polling, TVK chief and actor Vijay has appealed to the Chief Election Commissioner to extend the polling period by two hours. In a letter, Vijay cited significant travel disruptions and large queues of delayed voters as reasons for his request, urging for polling to continue until 8 PM in affected constituencies. He further alleged that a lack of adequate transport arrangements by the State Transport Corporation and administration appeared to be an intentional misplanning, which he described as an assault on the fundamental right to vote.
Key Developments and Voter Participation
The ECI reported that by 9 AM, the state had already seen a voter turnout of 17.69%. Polling stations across Tamil Nadu have seen brisk activity, with prominent political figures, including Chief Minister MK Stalin and AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, casting their votes early in the day. Actor-politicians such as Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Ajith Kumar, and VTV Ganesh were also among the early voters.
The election involves 5.73 crore eligible voters who are set to decide the fate of 4,023 candidates vying for 234 seats in the state assembly. The ECI has made extensive arrangements, deploying 1,06,418 ballot units, 75,064 control units, and VVPAT machines across 75,064 polling stations. To mitigate technical issues, a reserve of 20% for EVMs and 30% for VVPATs has been maintained. A total of 4,59,039 first-time voters are participating in this electoral process.
Appeals for Transport and Polling Efficiency
Vijay’s appeal to the Election Commission highlighted concerns over stranded voters at bus terminals in Chennai and other major cities, stressing the need for immediate deployment of additional transport. He requested that state transport authorities and district election officers press into service more government buses, shuttles, and other vehicles exclusively for ferrying stranded voters from bus terminals to polling stations. He also called for clear announcements and coordination through media and official apps to guide voters.
Furthermore, Vijay pointed out issues of slow polling processes at several booths, leading to long queues that could potentially discourage voters. He urged the ECI to designate a supervisory officer to regularly visit polling booths and ensure the voting process is conducted efficiently and without unnecessary delays, emphasizing that the right to vote is a fundamental aspect of Indian democracy.
The election, which began at 7 AM, is scheduled to conclude at 6 PM, with the counting of votes set for May 4. The main contenders are the ruling DMK-led alliance and the opposition AIADMK-led alliance, with actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerging as a significant third force in its debut election.
The Chenab Times News Desk