Tamil Nadu witnessed a historic voter turnout of 84.6% in the Assembly elections held on April 24, 2026, marking the highest polling percentage in the state since 1952. The Election Commission reported that the turnout surpassed the previous high of 78.29% recorded in 2011, reflecting strong electoral participation across all 234 constituencies. From early morning, polling booths across the state saw long queues of voters, including elderly citizens, first-time voters, and families, highlighting widespread enthusiasm for the democratic process.
In Chennai, often known for relatively lower turnout compared to other districts, voter participation reached an impressive 81.34% by 5 pm. Across Tamil Nadu, turnout steadily increased throughout the day from 17.69% at 9 am to nearly 70% by 3 pm with districts like Salem, Namakkal, Karur, Erode, and Tiruppur leading the numbers. The election involved 4,023 candidates and covered an electorate of 5.73 crore voters, including over 2.93 crore women, 2.83 crore men, and 7,728 third-gender voters, across more than 75,000 polling booths.
The election was marked by a high-stakes contest between the ruling DMK-led alliance, the AIADMK-led NDA, actor-politician Vijay’s TVK, and the NTK led by Seeman. After casting his vote, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin expressed confidence, stating that “Tamil Nadu will win,” framing the election as a decisive moment for the state’s future. Meanwhile, AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami claimed full confidence in victory for his alliance, predicting a sweeping mandate.
Despite largely peaceful polling, some areas reported clashes between party workers. In Salem’s Arisipalayam, a dispute between booth agents led to a scuffle, while in Coimbatore, tensions flared when party workers confronted each other near polling stations. BJP leader K. Annamalai later alleged irregularities in certain constituencies, raising concerns over the conduct of polling.
There were also scattered technical issues, including Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) glitches that temporarily delayed voting in parts of Tiruppur and Namakkal. However, officials resolved these issues promptly, ensuring that voting continued smoothly. Authorities confirmed that all voters who entered polling stations before the closing time were allowed to cast their votes, even if queues extended into the evening.
Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, several unique moments were witnessed during polling. Newlyweds in Chennai cast their votes soon after their wedding ceremony, while families turned up together in large numbers, treating voting as a collective civic responsibility. Celebrities including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Ajith Kumar also participated, drawing public attention to polling booths.
The record turnout reflects high political engagement and voter awareness across Tamil Nadu. While parties interpret the strong participation in their favour, the final outcome will depend on counting day, making this one of the most closely watched elections in the state’s recent history.
