CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU, 22/04/2026 : An election official arranges equipment (EVM and VVPAT) at a polling station on the eve of Tamil Nadu Assembly Election in Chennai on Wednesday. Photo : B. Jothi Ramalingam / The Hindu
| Photo Credit:
JOTHI RAMALINGAM B
amil Nadu Assembly Election 2026 LIVE Updates: Tamil Nadu is all set to go to the Assembly polls on Thursday in one of the most unpredictable contests to be witnessed in the State. While the fight is mainly between the arch-rivals — the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) — the entry of Tamil Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has made it a three-cornered contest.
The single-phase poll will be for all the 234 Assembly constituencies, including 44 reserved for Scheduled Castes and two for Scheduled Tribes. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, 2026. The State has an electorate of about 5.73 crore voters.
Some of the constituencies to watch out for are Kolathur in Chennai, where MK Stalin is contesting; Chepauk–Tiruvallikeni, represented by Udhayanidhi Stalin; and Perambur in Chennai and Tiruch (East) with Joseph Vijay contesting from both.
- April 23, 2026 06:35
Tamil Nadu election 2026: Over 14 lakh first-time voters among 5.73 crore electorate i
The total electoral strength in Tamil Nadu has been recorded as 5.73 crore voters, out of which 2.93 crore are female, 2.83 crore are male and 7,758 are transgender. Out of the electorate, 14.59 lakh are first-time voters.
- April 23, 2026 06:33
Tamil Nadu polls: 75,064 polling stations set up across 33,133 locations
The central agency has put up 75,064 polling stations across 33,133 locations in Tamil Nadu. A total of 164,080 Electronic Voting Machines have been deployed to facilitate the voting process. There are 62 counting stations in total.
- April 23, 2026 06:29
Tamil Nadu polls: 3.6 lakh personnel deployed, EC tightens security across state
The Election Commission of India has deployed 3.6 lakh personnel, including 300 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) teams to facilitate the large-scale process.
The agency has also deployed 83,875 police to maintain law and order during the poll process, according to the State’s Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik.
- April 23, 2026 06:24
5.73 crore voters set for one of TN’s most unpredictable elections
5.73 crore voters set for one of TN’s most unpredictable elections
TVK entry turns DMK-AIADMK rivalry into triangular fight as ECI readies massive deployment for single-phase voting
- April 23, 2026 06:20
Documents valid for polling as per ECI guidelines
* Election Commission of India issued Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC / Voter ID)
* Aadhaar Card
* Driving Licence
* Indian Passport
* MGNREGA Job Card
* Indian Passport (only document allowed) for overseas electors to establish identity
* Even if a voter produces any of the above identity documents, voting is allowed only if the name is present in the Electoral Roll of the polling station.
* Voter Information Slip (issued before polling) is only for details like polling station, date, and time — it is not a valid identity document for voting.
Published on April 23, 2026
