Chennai: Polling for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections commenced early Thursday morning, with voters turning up in large numbers across the state amid elaborate security arrangements.
Voting started at 7 am, and long queues were seen outside polling booths as citizens exercised their democratic right. Authorities have made extensive preparations to ensure a smooth and peaceful electoral process across urban and rural regions alike.
The contest is primarily between the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). However, the electoral battle has become more competitive with the entry of actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), led by Seeman, both of which are seeking to expand their political footprint in the state.
Tamil Nadu has an electorate of over 5.7 crore voters, including a significant number of women and first-time voters. Polling is being conducted across more than 75,000 booths set up at over 33,000 locations, with a total of 4,000-plus candidates in the fray.
The Election Commission has deployed a large number of electronic voting machines, including ballot units, control units, and VVPAT systems, to facilitate the voting process. Backup arrangements have also been put in place, with additional machines kept in reserve to address any technical issues promptly.
Security has been tightened across the state, with central forces and state police personnel stationed at sensitive and critical polling stations. Officials said the measures aim to ensure free, fair, and incident-free voting.
The outcome of the election is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of the state, as major parties vie for control in a closely watched contest.
