NewKerala.com

Tamil Nadu Votes: Annamalai, EPS Cast Ballots as State Records 17.69% Turnout

BJP leader K Annamalai cast his vote in Coimbatore as polling began for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami also voted and expressed full confidence in the victory of the AIADMK-BJP alliance. The state recorded a 17.69% voter turnout by 9 AM, with Tiruppur district leading. The main electoral contest is between the DMK-led alliance and the AIADMK-led NDA, with results scheduled for May 4.

Key Points: Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections: Voting Underway, Key Leaders Cast Votes

  • Voting for 234 Assembly seats in single phase
  • DMK alliance vs AIADMK-led NDA main contest
  • 17.69% voter turnout recorded by 9 AM
  • Counting of votes scheduled for May 4
  • Polling also underway in West Bengal Phase 1
2 min read

Tamil Nadu Polls: BJP leader K Annamalai casts vote in Coimbatore

BJP's K Annamalai and AIADMK's Edappadi Palaniswami vote in Tamil Nadu polls. State sees 17.69% turnout by 9 AM. Key contest between DMK and AIADMK-led NDA alliances.

Tamil Nadu Polls: BJP leader K Annamalai casts vote in Coimbatore
"I am 100 per cent confident. - Edappadi K. Palaniswami"

Coimbatore, April 23

Bharatiya Janata Party 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.

The BJP leader arrived to exercise his franchise amid tight security arrangements at the polling station. Voting is being held across the state with voters turning up in large numbers since morning to participate in the democratic exercise.

Earlier, the leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and AIADMK General Secretary and candidate from Edappadi constituency, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, exercised his franchise at the Panchayat Union Primary School polling station in Siluvalpalayam for the ongoing Tamil Nadu assembly elections.

Speaking with the media after casting his vote, EPS encouraged the electorate to cast their votes and exercise their democratic rights. He also exerted huge confidence in the victory of the AIADMK-BJP alliance.

"In the ongoing assembly general elections, I kindly request all the voters to go to the polling booths and exercise their democratic right. I am 100 per cent confident. The election has just begun today. Polling started this morning. Now, voters across Tamil Nadu are going to the polling booths and casting their votes. We are seeing that on television," EPS said.

The voter turnout in Tamil Nadu was recorded at 17.69 per cent at 9 am on Thursday. Tiruppur district recorded the highest turnout with 20.38% voting, while Chennai district registered a turnout of 16.51% and Erode recorded 19.55% turnout.

Polling for the Assembly elections began in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (Phase 1) amid tight security on Thursday. The voting will conclude at 6:00 pm today in both states.

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections are being held in a single phase today, while West Bengal will witness two phases of polling in the Assembly elections 2026, with the second phase scheduled to take place on April 29. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

Polling is being held for 234 Assembly constituencies across Tamil Nadu.

The main contest is expected between the DMK-led alliance, which includes the Indian National Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance led by AIADMK with BJP and PMK as allies.

With the DMK banking on its welfare record, the AIADMK-led NDA is fighting for a comeback.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Annamalai has been a very active campaigner. Curious to see if the BJP can make significant inroads in TN this time. The state usually has its own strong regional players. 🤔
V
Vikram M
EPS sounds confident, but the DMK's welfare schemes have been quite popular on the ground. It will be a tight contest. Ultimately, it's good for democracy when there is a strong opposition.
S
Sarah B
Watching from abroad. Always impressed by the scale of Indian elections. The security arrangements mentioned show how seriously it's taken. Hope the process is peaceful and fair.
R
Rohit P
The early voter turnout percentage is encouraging! Chennai needs to pick up the pace though. Come on, people! Don't complain later if you don't vote. This is our right and duty. 🇮🇳
K
Kavya N
While I support the democratic process, I hope the focus remains on real issues like employment, healthcare, and education, and not just on political alliances and personalities.
M
Michael C
The article mentions a single phase for TN but multiple for Bengal. Why the difference in approach? Is it due to security or logistical reasons? Would be interesting to know the rationale.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50