Tamil Nadu Goes to Polls; Voting Begins Across 234 Constituencies in High-Stakes Assembly Election

Chennai: Tamil Nadu began voting in its high-stakes assembly election on Thursday morning, with polls opening at 7 am across all 234 constituencies in a single-phase exercise. Long queues of eager voters were visible at polling stations across the state from the early hours. The state's electorate numbers 5.67 crore voters, with 75,064 polling stations set up across 33,133 locations statewide.

A total of 4,023 candidates are in the fray. The principal contest is between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), the AIADMK-BJP combine, and actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The SPA, which is seeking a fresh mandate on the strength of its development record, was seen maintaining a clear edge in the final stretch of campaigning. CPI(M) candidates are contesting from Palani, Padmanabhapuram, Gandarvakottai, Keezhvelur, and Thiruvottiyur constituencies.

Eight polling stations across Erode district are being managed entirely by women. A polling station managed by differently abled individuals has been set up in Erode West constituency, while a special booth for young voters has been established in Erode East. Polling stations in the hilly areas of Kalithimbam, Areppalayam, and Thamaraikarai have been given an eco-friendly theme.

83,875 state police personnel have been deployed to ensure peaceful polling, alongside 300 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) providing security cover across the state.