Voting for the by-elections to the Madurantakam and Dharapuram assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu began at 7 am on Tuesday. More than 4.37 lakh voters are eligible to cast their ballots across the two constituencies. Polling will continue until 6 pm, while counting of votes will be held on October 9.
A total of 285 polling stations have been set up in the Madurantakam assembly constituency, while voters in Dharapuram are casting their ballots at 320 polling stations. Election officials had delivered all required election material, including electronic voting machines (EVMs), control units and VVPATs, to the polling stations ahead of voting.
Madurantakam is in Chengalpattu district, while Dharapuram is part of Tiruppur district. The administration has increased the deployment of security forces to ensure peaceful polling in both constituencies.
According to constituency data, Madurantakam has 2,13,788 registered voters, while 2,23,306 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in Dharapuram. Together, the two assembly constituencies have 4,37,094 eligible voters.
After campaigning ended, the administration completed the final preparations for polling. Necessary facilities and security arrangements were put in place at the polling stations.
The by-elections in the two constituencies became necessary after AIADMK legislators Maragatham Kumaravel and Sathyabama resigned from their posts. Both leaders subsequently joined Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the party of Chief Minister Vijay.
Both leaders are now contesting from their respective former assembly constituencies on TVK tickets. Their return to the electoral contest from the same constituencies has given the by-elections significance in the state's politics.
A total of 27 candidates are contesting the Madurantakam assembly seat. The prominent candidates include TVK's Maragatham Kumaravel, DMK's Paranthaman, AIADMK's Ganitha Sampath, CPI(M)'s Sugandhi and Naam Tamilar Katchi's Janakiraman.
With a multi-cornered contest, political parties conducted extensive campaigns to reach voters during the election period.
A total of 22 candidates are contesting the Dharapuram assembly seat. The prominent candidates include TVK's Sathyabama, AIADMK's Bhanumathi, DMK's Sukanya, Naam Tamilar Katchi's Karthika and CPI's Lakshmanan.
Independent candidates are also contesting the election. Candidates from different parties have been campaigning across the constituency ahead of polling.
Security arrangements in Madurantakam include the deployment of 2,614 police personnel and 480 Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel. The administration has arranged additional monitoring in sensitive areas and at polling stations.
Around 1,000 police personnel are responsible for security and law and order in Dharapuram. Election officials have focused on ensuring that polling is completed without disruption.
On Monday, a day before polling, EVMs and other election equipment were dispatched to polling stations in both assembly constituencies. In Madurantakam, polling material was sent from the Agriculture Department office, with armed police personnel deployed with each vehicle.
In Dharapuram, EVMs, control units and VVPAT machines were also transported to the designated polling stations. A total of 1,486 personnel, including polling officers and supervisors, have been deployed for election duty in the constituency.
Polling station number 72 at the Government Higher Secondary School in Kallapiranpuram, Madurantakam, has been designated specifically for women voters. The objective of such special polling stations is to provide women voters with a convenient and secure voting environment.
Several prominent figures from Tamil Nadu politics campaigned during the by-election campaign. Chief Minister Vijay campaigned in support of TVK candidates. DMK president M.K. Stalin and party leader Udhayanidhi Stalin sought voter support for their candidates.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami campaigned for the party's candidates. Naam Tamilar Katchi chief coordinator Seeman also campaigned for his party's candidates.
With campaigning over, all parties are now focused on voter turnout and the final election results. The picture will become clear after vote counting on October 9.
In addition to the two seats in Tamil Nadu, polling for the by-election to the Thattanchavady assembly constituency in Puducherry is also being held on Tuesday. Votes cast in the constituency will also be counted on October 9.
The results of the by-elections to the three assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will therefore be declared on the same day.
