Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026: Voter Turnout Hits 85.15%, Karur Leads With 92.63% ; Chennai Records 83.74%

After a massive voter turnout in Tamil Nadu and in the first phase of West Bengal elections, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said, "Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu since Independence - ECI salutes each voter of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu."

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Tamil Nadu has recorded 85.15 per cent voter turnout, Election Commission said.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Tamil Nadu has recorded 84.29 per cent polling till 6 pm, Election Commission said.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Voting concluded in ten assembly constituencies at 6 pm in Madurai. EVMs are currently being sealed, and polling stations are being closed.
 

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Karur led the state with 89.32%, followed by Salem at 88.02%, Erode at 87.59%, Dharmapuri at 87.28%, and Tiruppur at 86.33%. Ariyalur recorded 83.09%, Tiruchirappalli 82.76%, and Chennai 81.34%, indicating strong urban and semi-urban participation. Meanwhile, Madurai (77.89%) and Thoothukudi (77.56%) reported relatively lower but still significant turnout figures.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: The voter turnout in the ongoing Assembly polling gathered strong momentum by 5 PM on Thursday in Tamil Nadu, which recorded 82.24% turnout, according to the Election Commission of India.  

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: A visually impaired voter, Chandrasekaran, expressed gratitude to the Election Commission after casting his vote in the Srirangam Assembly constituency.

"We came to this polling station to cast our votes. A few months ago, we had decided to boycott the election due to the lack of basic facilities. However, based on the assurances given by the officials, we have now exercised our democratic duty," he said. 

Special arrangements have been made for visually impaired voters in the constituency, including Braille-enabled voting machines, the option to bring an assistant, ramps, accessible walkways, and temporary shelters to protect from the heat.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Singer Latha Rajinikanth, wife of Superstar Rajinikanth, cast her vote at the Stella Maris College polling booth in Chennai and stated that it is a constitutional duty of every citizen to come and vote.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: BJP candidate from Ramanathapuram, GBS K. Nagendran, cast his vote for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Namakkal led the state with 76.43%, closely followed by Karur at 76.08%, Salem at 75.79%, Erode at 75.61%, and Tiruppur at 75.38%. Other districts such as Dharmapuri (74.68%), Dindigul (74.35%), Kancheepuram (72.51%), Coimbatore (71.16%), Kallakurichi (71.11%), and Tiruchirappalli (71.05%) also reflected steady voter participation, contributing to the state's overall healthy turnout figures. 

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Actor Suriya and his wife, actress Jyothika, arrived at a polling booth in D Nagar to cast their votes. 

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Actor Vishal Krishna Reddy arrives at a polling booth in Anna Nagar, Chennai, to cast his vote in the ongoing Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. 

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Voting is underway in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections 2026, with voters arriving at polling stations with enthusiasm. 

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Tiruppu District Election Officer Manish on Thursday expressed hopes of a high voter turnout in Tiruppur in the ongoing polling for Tamil Nadu assembly elections.
Speaking with ANI, Manish reflected on the arrangements made to ensure an efficient voting process, including deployment of women polling officers, green polling stations and special facilities for differently abled voters.

"Polling has started from 7am to 6pm. We are expecting very good turnout. We have 8 model polling stations manned by women polling officials. We have made 'green' polling stations also. At all polling stations there is facility of wheelchairs and volunteers and also to & fro transportation facility for voters with disabilities," he said.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: The voter turnout in the ongoing Assembly polling gathered strong momentum by 3 PM on Thursday in Tamil Nadu, which recorded a 70.00% turnout, according to the Election Commission of India. 
 

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) General Secretaries N Anand and Aadhav Arjuna on Thursday submitted a petition to Tamil Nadu's Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik, flagging the lack of transport facilities for voters.

This comes after TVK chief Vijay wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, urging the Election Commission to deploy public transport for people stranded at bus terminals in Chennai, and extend the duration for polling by two hours.

ALSO READ:.'12 Hours, No Help': Voters Stranded at Chennai's Koyambedu, Kilambakkam Bus Stops As Voting Underway Across Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: A student named Vimal Vijayan, along with his team, has deployed robots at polling locations to encourage voter participation.

"Today is election day for Tamil Nadu. So, we are promoting 100% voting through this robot. People are giving great response to it," Vimal said.

He explained that the team developed the robot's voice processing and RC control model. The robot delivers messages on standing in queue and how to cast a vote.

"I am passionate about electronics, engineering, and robotics technology. Two such robots have been displayed," he added.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Chennai Police Commissioner Abhin Dinesh Modak assured citizens of robust security arrangements as voting continues across the city.

"All security arrangements have been made to secure the city. I have visited many polling booths and interacted with people. I would appeal to the people to come and vote," Modak said.

He further confirmed that more than 28,000 security personnel, including police and Home Guards, have been deployed today.

"No untoward incident has happened so far," he added, urging voters to step out and exercise their franchise without fear.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Chennai Police Commissioner Abhin Dinesh Modak visits polling booth at Stella Maris College as voting in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections is underway. 

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: In the Srirangam Assembly constituency of Tiruchirappalli, several visually impaired persons reside in the Gandhi Nagar area. At the Panchayat Union Primary School in this locality, a total of 99 visually impaired voters are eligible to cast their votes. A separate polling booth has been set up exclusively for them, and voting is underway. 

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin's daughter Senthamarai Stalin and son-in-law Sabarisan cast their votes at a polling station in Chennai on Thursday during the Assembly elections.
The family members arrived at the polling booth and exercised their democratic right as voting progressed across the state.

Tamil Nadu Polling Trends as of 1:00 PM:

• Chennai: 54.58%
• Coimbatore: 58.24%
• Erode: 61.79%
• Madurai: 54.75%
• Salem: 61.42%
• Theni: 55.63%
• Thiruvallur: 55.45%
• Thiruvarur: 56.00%
• Thoothukudi: 52.55%
• Vellore: 57.27%
   

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Voter turnout hits 56.81% till 1 PM in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Actor Trisha Krishnan on Thursday cast her vote in Chennai as polling began for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections early in the morning.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: In four hours, out of 5.3 crore eligible voters, 2 crore people have already voted in Tamil Nadu, according to the Election Commission. 
 

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: A groom in Kanchipuram cast his vote along with his bride on Thursday immediately after their wedding ceremony.

Ravi Rahul, a resident of the Aram Valartheeswarar Temple area in Kanchipuram, is a construction engineer who runs a house-building firm. He married Sivaranchani, also a civil engineer from Virudhachalam, earlier this morning in Kanchipuram.

Soon after the wedding, the newlywed couple went together to a nearby private school serving as a polling booth. Dressed in their wedding attire, Ravi Rahul exercised his democratic right and cast his vote alongside his bride.

Speaking to ANI, Ravi Rahul emphasized the importance of voting, stating, "It is a duty everyone must fulfil."

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Tamil Nadu Polling Trends as of 11:00 Am:

• Chennai: 35.47%
• Coimbatore: 38.62%
• Erode: 41.00%
• Madurai: 36.22%
• Salem: 40.56%
• Theni: 37.35%
• Thiruvallur: 36.71%
• Thiruvarur: 37.19%
• Thoothukudi:: 35.16%
• Vellore: 37.99%

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Voter turnout hits 37.56% till 11 AM in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: As of 11:00 AM, 969 voters at Polling Station No. 290 in Perumpathu Village boycotted the election, citing lack of justice in the March 2 double murder.
 

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: DMDK General Secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth shows her inked finger after casting her vote in the Virukambakkam constituency. 

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Former CM and DMK candidate from Bodinayakkanur Assembly constituency O Panneerselvam says, "I can see enthusiasm among people for our alliance... DMK chief MK Stalin will come to power for the second term... I hope with faith that our alliance will win more than 200 seats in this election."

Tamil Nadu polling trends as of 9:00 am:

1. Chennai: 16.51%
2. Coimbatore: 18.45%
3. Erode: 19.55%
4. Madurai: 17.32%
5. Salem: 19.46%
6. Theni: 17.97%
7. Vellore: 17.96%

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Deputy General Secretary of DMK, A. Raja, cast his vote in a polling booth set up at the Government High School in Vellore village, Perambalur district.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) candidate from the Bodinayakkanur Assembly constituency, O. Panneerselvam, on Thursday cast his vote along with his family members at a polling station in the Periyakulam district as voting for the elections is underway.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin cast his vote on Thursday at a polling station located in West Mambalam Sitaraman Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai as polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections was under way. 

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former state president K Annamalai on Thursday cast his vote at a polling station located in PSG College of Arts and Science in Coimbatore as polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections is underway.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: TVK chief Vijay on Thursday urged the Election Commission to deploy public transport for people stranded at bus terminals in Chennai and other cities of Tamil Nadu and extend the duration for polling by two hours. 

Writing to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, Vijay alleged an intentional misplanning by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, calling it an assault on the fundamental right to vote. He also flagged a delay in the polling process at several polling booths.
 

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Tiruppur has recorded the highest voting percentage so far, at 20.38%, while Chennai district registered a turnout of 16.51% and Erode recorded a 19.55% turnout.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Actor Dhanush arrives at a polling station in Chennai to cast his vote. 

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: DMK Deputy General Secretary and MP Tiruchi Siva casts his vote at a polling station in Tiruchirappalli.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: CM MK Stalin urged Tamil Nadu citizens to vote, emphasizing it as essential for democracy and protection of constitutional ideals and secularism.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Voter Turnout Hits 17.49% in Tamil Nadu Till 9 AM.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Geetha Jeevan, a two-time MLA and DMK candidate, voted at Geetha Matriculation School in Thoothukudi for the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections, expressing confidence that Stalin would be re-elected as Chief Minister. Voter turnout was high, with many waiting in long queues across Thoothukudi's six assembly constituencies.
 

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Tamil Nadu CM and DMK candidate from Kolathur, MK Stalin casts his vote and shows his inked finger, at a polling station in Chennai.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, DMK candidate from Kolathur, arrives at Chennai polling station with family, including Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Superstar Rajinikanth shows his inked finger after casting his vote at Stella Maris School in Chennai.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay on Thursday cast his vote at Neelankarai polling booth for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Actor-turned-politician Vijay is contesting from the Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East constituencies.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Voting at Booth 295 in Thoothukudi's Duvipuram was delayed due to an electronic voting machine malfunction; officials are addressing the issue for polling to resume soon.
 

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: TVK chief and candidate from Tiruchirappalli East and Perambur constituencies arrives at a polling station in Chennai to cast his vote.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: AIADMK General Secretary, LoP and AIADMK candidate from Edappadi Assembly Constituency, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) casts his vote at a polling station in Panchayat Union Primary School in Siluvampalayam.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: State BJP vice president Khushbu Sundar casts her vote at a polling booth in Mylapore. The constituency sees a contest between BJP's Tamilisai Soundararajan here and DMK's D. Velu.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram casts his vote and shows his inked finger, at a polling station in Karaikudi, Sivaganga.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Ajith Kumar voted in Thiruvanmiyur during the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, attracting a huge crowd of fans. Police were deployed to manage the chaos outside the polling station amid attempts to catch a glimpse of the actor.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: NTK Chief Senthamilan Seeman casts his vote at a polling station in Neelankarai

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: PM Modi encouraged participation in Tamil Nadu's Assembly elections via X, urging citizens to fulfill their democratic duty enthusiastically. He specifically called on the youth and women to vote in large numbers to achieve a record turnout, emphasizing the importance of their involvement in the electoral process.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: Ahead of the voting for Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026 on Thursday, mock polling was held at the Chennai High School. Polling for the Assembly elections 2026 will begin at 7:00 am

Tamil Nadu Election 2026 LIVE: The Election Commission of India hosted 19 international delegates to observe Tamil Nadu's assembly elections, showcasing electoral processes and promoting global cooperation in election management.