Updated: April 23, 2026 7:51:05 am IST
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: Voting in Tamil Nadu today in a three-way battle as DMK, AIADMK face challenge from TVK
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: After months of intense campaigning, Tamil Nadu goes to the polls on Thursday in what is shaping up to be a crucial and closely watched electoral contest. Voting for the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly began at 7:00 am and will continue till 6:00 pm in the single-phase election. The results will be counted on May 4, which will decide the next government in the southern state. The tenure of the current assembly is going to end on May 10.
The contest has generated significant anticipation, with voters wondering whether the DMK’s “Rising Sun” will secure another term, or whether the AIADMK’s “Two Leaves” might make a comeback.
The main fight in Tamil Nadu seems to be between the ruling Congress and the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and the BJP-AIADMK alliance. However, the entry of actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) has added a new layer of competition, turning the election into a multi-cornered contest.
Major candidates in the fray
A total of 4,023 candidates are in the fray across the state, including several high-profile leaders. Chief Minister MK Stalin is contesting from Kolathur in Chennai for the second consecutive term. His son and deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin is in the race from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni.
On the other hand, AIADMK chief and opposition leader Palaniswami of Edappadi is contesting from Edappadi in Salem district. Vijay, making his electoral debut, is contesting from two constituencies – Chennai’s Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East.
Take a look at the 2021 results
The DMK-led alliance achieved a decisive victory in the 2021 assembly elections, securing 159 out of 234 seats. In comparison, the AIADMK-led alliance won 75 seats, which was a clear mandate for the DMK at that time.
Congress-DMK vs BJP-AIADMK
During the campaign, the DMK – contesting 164 seats and leaving 70 seats for its allies including the Congress – framed the election as a contest between Tamil Nadu and the “Delhi-NDA”, taking aim at the BJP-led Centre.
The AIADMK, contesting 169 seats and allocating 65 seats to its allies, including 27 seats for the BJP, countered this narrative by targeting the DMK on issues such as alleged dynasty politics, law and order concerns, rising debt and drug proliferation and claims of safety of women and children.
Vijay-led TVK, entering electoral politics for the first time, has fielded candidates in all 234 constituencies, indicating an ambitious statewide effort in its debut.
security increased
Election authorities have deployed around 1,700 companies of Central Armed Police Forces across Tamil Nadu to ensure smooth and safe voting.
Ahead of the voting, mock polling exercises, including at a Chennai high school, were also conducted as part of the preparations to ensure that the voting process goes on without any glitches on the election day.
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The contest has generated significant anticipation, with voters wondering whether the DMK’s “Rising Sun” will secure another term, or whether the AIADMK’s “Two Leaves” might make a comeback.
The main fight in Tamil Nadu seems to be between the ruling Congress and the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and the BJP-AIADMK alliance. However, the entry of actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) has added a new layer of competition, turning the election into a multi-cornered contest.
Major candidates in the fray
A total of 4,023 candidates are in the fray across the state, including several high-profile leaders. Chief Minister MK Stalin is contesting from Kolathur in Chennai for the second consecutive term. His son and deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin is in the race from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni.
On the other hand, AIADMK chief and opposition leader Palaniswami of Edappadi is contesting from Edappadi in Salem district. Vijay, making his electoral debut, is contesting from two constituencies – Chennai’s Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East.
Take a look at the 2021 results
The DMK-led alliance achieved a decisive victory in the 2021 assembly elections, securing 159 out of 234 seats. In comparison, the AIADMK-led alliance won 75 seats, which was a clear mandate for the DMK at that time.
Congress-DMK vs BJP-AIADMK
During the campaign, the DMK – contesting 164 seats and leaving 70 seats for its allies including the Congress – framed the election as a contest between Tamil Nadu and the “Delhi-NDA”, taking aim at the BJP-led Centre.
The AIADMK, contesting 169 seats and allocating 65 seats to its allies, including 27 seats for the BJP, countered this narrative by targeting the DMK on issues such as alleged dynasty politics, law and order concerns, rising debt and drug proliferation and claims of safety of women and children.
Vijay-led TVK, entering electoral politics for the first time, has fielded candidates in all 234 constituencies, indicating an ambitious statewide effort in its debut.
security increased
Election authorities have deployed around 1,700 companies of Central Armed Police Forces across Tamil Nadu to ensure smooth and safe voting.
Ahead of the voting, mock polling exercises, including at a Chennai high school, were also conducted as part of the preparations to ensure that the voting process goes on without any glitches on the election day.
Follow all updates here:
April 23, 2026 7:41:55 am First
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: Complete list of DMK, AIADMK candidates
For readers looking for the complete list of candidates contesting from DMK and AIADMK in all 234 constituencies, complete details have been compiled separately. DMK full list | Full list of AIADMK.
April 23, 2026 7:34:09 am First
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 LIVE: What time is voting in Tamil Nadu?
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: Voting for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections is taking place today from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm across the state.
Voting is being held in a single phase in all 234 constituencies, giving voters 11 hours to cast their votes. People are advised to reach polling stations early to avoid queues during peak hours.
April 23, 2026 7:24:32 am First
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: Tamilisai Sundararajan’s husband expresses confidence in NDA’s victory
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: P Soundararajan, husband of Tamilisai Soundararajan, BJP candidate from Mylapore assembly constituency, expressed confidence of NDA’s strong performance as voting begins.
“I have toured the entire constituency. It is going to be a big success for the NDA, especially for my wife in Mylapore…Unfinished demands will be fulfilled by the wife. We are very confident of victory,” he said, news agency ANI reported.
April 23, 2026 7:21:39 am First
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: Congress’s P Chidambaram casts his vote in Sivagangai
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram casts his vote at a polling booth in Karaikudi, Sivagangai and shows his inked finger.
April 23, 2026 7:20:00 am First
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: BJP’s Khushboo Sundar casts her vote, urges people to come out and participate
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live Updates: BJP leader Khushboo Sundar arrives at Sri Chaitanya Techno School polling booth in Chennai to cast her vote, becoming one of the early voters as soon as voting began.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “People have the right to question any government. I think it is a fundamental duty. It’s a day off, let us rest and sleep, don’t do this. Just come out of your house and cast your vote.”
April 23, 2026 7:15:25 am First
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: PM Modi calls for enthusiastic voting as voting begins
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: As voting began for all 234 assembly seats on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to participate in large numbers.
“As the people of Tamil Nadu prepare to vote in the Assembly elections, I urge all voters to fulfill this sacred democratic duty with great enthusiasm. In particular, I call upon the youth and women of Tamil Nadu to vote in large numbers and pave the way for record turnout.”
April 23, 2026 7:12:55 am First
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: Early queues seen at polling stations
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: Voting for the assembly elections has started across Tamil Nadu amid tight security arrangements, with polling stations opening early in the morning for voters.
Even before voting officially began, long queues were visible outside many polling stations as people lined up to cast their votes. Authorities have taken elaborate security measures to ensure smooth and peaceful voting across the state.
April 23, 2026 7:00:52 am First
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: Voting begins in Tamil Nadu, more than 4000 candidates in the fray
Voting has officially begun across Tamil Nadu for the crucial assembly elections, with voters standing in queues since early morning at booths across the state.
Over 5.73 crore eligible voters will cast their votes today, deciding the electoral fate of 4,023 candidates in the fray. Voting will decide who will form the next government in the 234-member assembly.
April 23, 2026 6:57:46 am First
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: Mock polling underway in Tirunelveli ahead of voting
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: Mock polling is currently going on at several polling stations, video is shown inside a government school in Tirunelveli, as officials carry out final checks before the polling begins.
April 23, 2026 6:49:37 am First
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: Key candidates to keep an eye on in Tamil Nadu elections
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: As voting gets underway across Tamil Nadu, several high-profile faces are in the headlines, making these assembly elections one of the most closely watched elections in recent years.
State Chief Minister MK Stalin is seeking a second consecutive term from Kolathur, with the DMK banking on continuity and its governance record. Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is contesting from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, is also being closely watched as he wants to strengthen his political hold.
On the opposition front, AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami is contesting from Edappadi in Salem district, with his party trying to return to power.
Adding a new dimension to the contest is actor-politician Vijay, who is making his electoral debut. He is contesting from two seats – Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East
April 23, 2026 6:39:00 am First
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: What time will voting start?
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: Voting for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections is scheduled to take place as per all-day schedule across the state on Thursday.
Voting will begin at 7:00 am and will continue throughout the day till 6:00 pm, giving voters 11 hours to cast their votes.
With elections being held in a single phase for all 234 constituencies, officials expect steady polling throughout the day, especially during the morning and late afternoon.
April 23, 2026 6:28:01 am First
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: Rahul Gandhi pitches for Congress-DMK alliance
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: On the eve of voting, Rahul Gandhi reached out to voters and urged them to support the Congress-DMK alliance. In a video message he described the elections as a big ideological contest.
“This election is an ideological battle between the Congress-DMK alliance and the BJP-AIADMK alliance.”
He also alleged that the BJP controls the AIADMK and warned about its intentions in the state.
“BJP controls AIADMK and they are trying to enter Tamil Nadu to destroy and attack Tamil culture, Tamil language and Tamil traditions.”
Taking aim at the AIADMK leadership, he said, “Due to corruption cases, the AIADMK leadership has completely compromised with the BJP.”
Reiterating the state’s commitment to continue the legacy of social justice, Gandhi also appealed to voters to support the alliance to protect Tamil Nadu’s identity, language and rights.
