Chennai: Tamil Nadu is set for a high-stakes Assembly election on April 23, with more than 5.73 crore voters deciding the electoral fate of 4,023 candidates amid tight security and extensive enforcement measures to prevent inducements.
The contest primarily pits the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) against the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Chief Minister M K Stalin is seeking to retain power, while AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami aims to return to the treasury benches after five years.
Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik, addressing a press briefing in Chennai, said the state is fully prepared for the massive democratic exercise. She noted that the total electorate stands at 5.73 crore, including 2.93 crore women, 2.83 crore men, and 7,728 third-gender voters.
Highlighting youth participation, she said 14,59,039 first-time voters have been enrolled.
Voting will be conducted across 75,064 polling stations located in 33,133 centres. The Election Commission has deployed 1,06,418 ballot units along with 75,064 control units and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines, with reserve stocks of 20 per cent for EVMs and 30 per cent for VVPATs to avoid technical delays.
The state has also witnessed an aggressive crackdown on electoral inducements. Patnaik said enforcement agencies have intercepted items worth Rs 1,262 crore, of which Rs 543 crore comprises cash and seized material.
She added that 163 First Information Reports have been registered for violations, while a dedicated social media monitoring cell has blocked or removed 2,180 Uniform Resource Locators across platforms. In addition, 243 rebuttals and clarifications have been issued to counter misinformation online.
On allegations of digital inducements, including cash-like pamphlets promising Rs 8,000 or Rs 2,000, the Chief Electoral Officer said First Information Reports have been filed in all such cases and cybercrime units are assisting investigations.
Patnaik further said District Election Officers have ensured polling booth readiness and accessibility at the local level.
On voter logistics, she said there are 68,501 service electors, including 909 personnel from the Bihar battalion enrolled for the first time. A total of 4,18,541 postal ballots have been received so far, while 1,10,595 Election Duty Certificates have been issued. The state also has 3,98,513 electors aged 85 and above, many of whom have already opted for home voting.
Election materials and EVMs are being dispatched to polling stations.
To enhance inclusivity, the Election Commission has set up 249 model polling stations, 325 women-managed ‘pink’ booths, 71 polling stations managed by persons with disabilities, and 29 youth-managed stations. Some districts are also experimenting with green polling stations to reduce environmental impact.
Security arrangements include the deployment of 300 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces alongside 83,875 local police personnel. Out of all polling stations, 5,949 booths across 3,025 locations have been identified as highly sensitive.
Patnaik clarified that mobile phones are strictly prohibited inside polling booths, but arrangements have been made to store devices outside each station. Voters have also been advised to use the Vazhikatti application to locate their booths, while manual assistance will be provided where required.
The election also marks the debut of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder Vijay, who is contesting from Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East. The major Dravidian parties have intensified their campaigns, with Stalin promising a model state and Palaniswami focusing on restoring administrative standards.
The Election Commission has also launched the second phase of the International Election Visitors Programme, under which delegates will visit dispatch centres, control rooms, and media monitoring units.
After voting concludes at 6 pm on April 23, all Electronic Voting Machines will be transported to 62 counting centres across the state. The results of the high-profile election will be declared on May 4.
With PTI inputs