Chennai: The polling process commenced across Tamil Nadu's 234 Assembly constituencies on Thursday, with notable figures like Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, actor-politician Vijay, and superstar Rajinikanth among the first to cast their votes.
Stalin, accompanied by his wife Durga Stalin, voted at a polling station located in Teynampet, Chennai.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin also participated in the voting process alongside his wife Krithika, showcasing the DMK leadership's commitment to democracy.
Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), voted at a government middle school in Neelankarai. His presence attracted a large crowd of fans, causing temporary congestion at the polling site. Police intervened to manage the situation and ensured his safe entry into the voting booth under tight security.
Rajinikanth, accompanied by his daughter Soundarya, cast his vote at the Stella Maris polling booth in Chennai.
In a statement to the media, he encouraged all eligible voters to participate actively in the electoral process, highlighting its significance.
This election is being conducted in a single phase across all constituencies, marking a crucial electoral contest.
According to the Election Commission, there are 4,023 candidates vying for votes, with over 5.73 crore voters eligible to participate.
The election features a competitive four-way battle involving the DMK-led coalition, the AIADMK-led alliance, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), and Vijay's TVK, adding a fresh dynamic to the state's political scene.
Senior BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan voted at a polling station in Saligramam, while Union Minister L. Murugan, who is contesting from Avinashi, cast his vote in Koyambedu.
Polling faced a brief delay at a booth in Thillai Nagar, Tiruchy, due to technical difficulties with two Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Minister K. N. Nehru, who is contesting from Tiruchy West, was among those waiting in line as officials worked to fix the issue. Authorities have implemented extensive security measures and urged voters to come out in large numbers to ensure a smooth and participatory election.
