R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, APR 23
Tamil Nadu’s high-stakes Assembly elections unfolded like a grand democratic spectacle on Thursday, blending star power, political heft and vibrant citizen participation as voting progressed across all 234 constituencies.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 | Along with his family, including Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, Tamil Nadu CM and DMK candidate from Kolathur, MK Stalin, arrives at a polling station in Chennai to cast his vote. pic.twitter.com/FZh9tUu5V7
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 | Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin's wife and son, Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi and Inbanithi, respectively, cast their votes at a polling station in Chennai. pic.twitter.com/z9ZY58bcWy
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026
From Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin to key leaders including C. Joseph Vijay, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, K. Annamalai and Seeman, top political figures exercised their franchise early, underscoring the importance of voter participation.
- Star power meets political heavyweights as voters queue up across 234 constituencies
- CM M. K. Stalin, Dy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, and leaders across parties cast ballots early
- C. Joseph Vijay, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, K. Annamalai, Seeman join democratic exercise
- Brisk turnout crosses 37.56% by 11 am; steady polling continues till afternoon amid tight security
- Newlyweds, youth and first-time voters add colour; isolated violations invite swift action
Cinema icons added further buzz to polling day, with Superstar Rajinikanth arriving with his daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth at Stella Maris College, proudly displaying his inked finger after voting. Actor-politician Kamal Haasan cast his vote alongside Shruti Haasan, while stars like Vikram, Ajith Kumar, Dhanush and Anirudh Ravichander joined thousands across the state in the electoral exercise.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 | Vijay, TVK chief and candidate from Tiruchirappalli East and Perambur constituencies, at a polling station in Chennai after casting his vote. pic.twitter.com/yCXPjQyJEh
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026
VIDEO | Tamil Nadu Election: After casting her vote at a polling booth in Chennai, actress Trisha Krishnan, said, "Please vote. It is your duty and right to vote." #AssemblyPollsWithPTI#TamilNaduPollsWithPTI
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/u9pvVfhm4k
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 23, 2026
#WATCH | Actor #AjithKumar arrived at a polling booth in Thiruvanmiyur, #Chennai, on April 23 to cast his vote in the Tamil Nadu elections. pic.twitter.com/CZHUNZn3m3
— The Federal (@TheFederal_News) April 23, 2026
Polling, which began at 7 am under tight security, recorded a brisk turnout of 37.56 per cent by 11 am, with steady participation continuing through the day. By 2 pm, officials indicated a strong upward trend, reflecting enthusiastic voter engagement across urban and rural regions alike.
The electoral contest primarily pits the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance against the AIADMK-led NDA, while Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) and Vijay’s TVK have intensified the political battle.
Adding a symbolic touch to the “festival of democracy,” newly-married couples in Chennai and Ramanathapuram arrived at polling booths in wedding attire, drawing attention nationwide. Highlighting the moment, the Election Commission of India said:
“Cebrating the festival of democracy, a newly married couple in Chennai steps out together to cast their vote. Their participation reflects the spirit of active citizenship and the importance of every vote in strengthening the democratic fabric of the nation. Step forward and cast your vote.”
Meanwhile, authorities acted swiftly against violations. In Tirupattur, a TVK worker was arrested for filming himself casting his vote inside a polling booth. Officials reiterated that using mobile phones inside polling compartments breaches electoral laws and compromises ballot secrecy.
With 5.73 crore eligible voters, 75,064 polling booths and 4,023 candidates in the fray, Tamil Nadu’s single-phase election remains under close surveillance to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling. Despite isolated incidents, the process has largely remained smooth, with long queues, especially of women, youth and first-time voters, reflecting robust democratic participation.
Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
