As voting gets underway in Tamil Nadu today (April 23), authorities have rolled out elaborate security measures and launched a sweeping campaign against malpractices. Over 5.73 crore eligible voters will decide the outcome for 4,023 contenders.
The electoral battle is chiefly a contest between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led alliance and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led National Democratic Alliance. While Chief Minister MK Stalin is seeking re-election, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami is positioning himself for a return to the corridors of power.
As the elections unfold, here is a look at some of the biggest names who have voted till now.
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Congress politician and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram cast his vote in Karaikudi, Sivaganga.
#Watch | Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram casts his vote and shows his inked finger, at a polling station in Karaikudi, Sivaganga.#TamilNaduElections pic.twitter.com/0eEREJrCAZ
— NDTV (@ndtv) April 23, 2026
State BJP vice president Khushbu Sundar cast her vote at a polling booth in Mylapore.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 | State BJP vice president Khushbu Sundar casts her vote at a polling booth in Mylapore.
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026
The constituency sees a contest between BJP's Tamilisai Soundararajan here and DMK's D. Velu. pic.twitter.com/bCurC6VmJZ
NTK Chief Senthamilan Seeman went to vote at a polling station in Neelankarai.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 | State BJP vice president Khushbu Sundar casts her vote at a polling booth in Mylapore.
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026
The constituency sees a contest between BJP's Tamilisai Soundararajan here and DMK's D. Velu. pic.twitter.com/bCurC6VmJZ
Actor Ajith Kumar was seen coming out of a building after exercising his right.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 | State BJP vice president Khushbu Sundar casts her vote at a polling booth in Mylapore.
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026
The constituency sees a contest between BJP's Tamilisai Soundararajan here and DMK's D. Velu. pic.twitter.com/bCurC6VmJZ
AIADMK General Secretary Edappai K Palaniswami cast his vote in Salem.
VIDEO | Tamil Nadu Polls: AIADMK's Edappadi seat candidate Edappadi K. Palaniswami (@EPSTamilNadu) casts his vote in Panchayat Union Primary School, Siluvampalayam.#AssemblyPollsWithPTI #TamilNaduPollsWithPTI
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 23, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/hrJDB0XUiO
BJP's Mylapore Tamilisai Soundararajan candidate was seen putting in her vote.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 | BJP candidate from Mylapore assembly constituency, Tamilisai Soundararajan casts her vote at a polling station in Chennai.
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026
She faces a contest from DMK's D. Velu in the constituency. pic.twitter.com/5bSzh0EN8s
IIT Madras Director Veezhinathan Kamakoti cast his vote in Mylapore.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 | IIT Madras Director, Veezhinathan Kamakoti casts his vote at a polling station in Chennai's Mylapore.
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026
He says, "We have 21 years for Viksit Bharat 2047, which is very important. All the governments and states have to fine-tune themselves...… pic.twitter.com/4lPYkJv9LE
Alliances play a crucial role in this election, with DMK working alongside 13 parties, compared to nine allies in the AIADMK camp. The Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party are the largest contributors to these respective coalitions.
The electoral contest spans all 234 constituencies in the State, with 4,023 candidates vying for a place in the Assembly. High-profile contenders include Chief Minister MK Stalin (Kolathur) of the DMK, Edappadi K Palaniswami (Edappadi) of the AIADMK, C Joseph Vijay of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) contesting in Perambur and Tiruchirappalli (East), and Seeman from Karaikudi representing the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK).
The list of key candidates also features DMK's Udhayanidhi Stalin, representing Chepauk–Thiruvallikeni; former AIADMK stalwart O Panneerselvam in Bodinayakanur; DMDK leader Premallatha Vijayakant, wife of late actor-politician Vijayakanth, contesting from Vriddhachalam; and KA Sengottaiyan, now in the fray from Gobichettipalayam under the banner of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
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