Tamil Nadu Total Voter Turnout 85.10%; Chennai Saw Increase Of Only 4,391 Votes: ECI

Chennai: The 2026 Assembly elections saw an increase of only 4,391 votes in Chennai compared to the previous polls in 2021, stated the Election Commission of India.

Voting for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections took place on April 23. The Election Commission announced that a total voter turnout of 85.10 per cent was recorded across Tamil Nadu. The Election Commission said Chennai, too, recorded an unprecedented turnout of 83.68 per cent this time around.

The 16 Assembly constituencies falling under the Chennai district comprise a total of 28,93,505 voters. Among them, there are 13,95,716 male voters, 14,96,921 females, and 868 third-gender voters. There are 74,089 young voters aged 18. To facilitate voting across all 16 constituencies in Chennai, 4,085 polling stations were established across 975 locations.

The Election Commission reported that, out of the total 28,93,505 voters, 24,21,186 voters cast their ballots. Specifically, 11,72,568 male voters, 12,48,129 female voters, and 489 third-gender voters exercised their franchise.

In the 2016 Assembly elections, out of a total of 39.75 lakh voters in Chennai, 24.33 lakh people (61.2 per cent) cast their votes. In 2021, out of a total of 40.04 lakh voters, 24.16 lakh (60 per cent) cast their votes. In the 2026 Assembly elections, following the Special Summary Revision (SIR), a total of 24,21,186 voters—constituting 83.68 per cent of the total electorate of 28.30 lakh- exercised their franchise. When compared to previous elections—specifically the 2021 Assembly polls—only 4,391 additional votes were recorded in the 2026 Assembly elections.

The highest voter turnout was recorded in RK Nagar at 90.56 per cent, followed by Perambur at 89.74 per cent. Conversely, the lowest turnout was recorded in Mylapore at 74.84 per cent.

In another development, the Election Commission said no re-poll was recommended in any polling station in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The election was conducted in a total of 75,064 polling stations across the state, with as many as 4,023 candidates contesting.

In a statement, the ECI said the entire process was videographed, and after scrutiny, forms 17A and related materials were re-sealed with the election authorities' seal. The EVMs and VVPATs have been stored securely in the strong rooms, which have been sealed after the polling concluded on April 23 in the presence of general observers and candidates or their representatives.

The ECI further said elaborate arrangements have been made for the security of the EVM strong rooms, including a double-lock system, deployment of two-tier security round the clock and CCTV coverage of the doors/corridors of the strong rooms. The revenue officials have been directed to visit the strong rooms and check the arrangements twice a day, while EC officials will visit the strong rooms once in three days. Representatives of candidates are also allowed to set up camps in the strong room building premises to keep a watch on the strong rooms.

Read more:

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