Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Election 2024: Polling ends in all 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu recorded a voter turnout of 72.09 percent in the Lok Sabha polls held in a single phase on Friday with no major untoward incidents. About 1.3 lakh police personnel and 190 companies of Central Armed Police forces were deployed for free and fair polls in 68,321 polling stations, that were manned by 3,32,233 election personnel in 39 Lok Sabha constituencies across the state.

Polling for the 2024 general election ended at 6 pm on Friday in all the 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu with the state recording a provisional voter turnout of 63.20 per cent.

Election authorities citing data available for 5 PM said Dharmapuri LS segment witnessed the highest voter turnout of 67.52 per cent, while South Chennai recorded the lowest of 57.04 per cent.

BJP candidate from central Chennai constituency, Vinoj P Selvam says, "There is complete failure on the part of the state government. On average approximately 70 to 80 names have been deleted from each booth in the central Chennai Parliament constituency...Names have been shifted. It is a new kind of malpractice which the DMK has adopted in this election to try to keep away voters they feel are going to vote for the BJP. A lot of conduct violation has happened today. We have been raising complaints continuously with the Election Commission.The police are supposed to be acting. They're supposed to be working as servants of the government, not of the DMK. So the BJP has been resisting, we've been challenging, we've been fighting it out on the field."

On the percentage of voting in Tamil Nadu in the first phase of elections, the state Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo said, "Our voting percentage by 5 PM is average 63.20% for the state. Highest in Dharmapuri parliamentary constituency, 67.52 and minimum, 57.04% in Chennai South."

Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency candidate K Annamalai said, "We saw complaints from a large number of voters on their names being missing from the voters' list. This happened in many places. We are demanding re-poll in places where the names of a large number of voters were missing. We have a doubt that there was some political interference because the names of a large number of BJP caders were missing from the voters list."

Eight constituencies (out of 39 in the state) polled below 50 percent at 3pm. These included the three constituencies in the city - Chennai North, Chennai South and Chennai Central- which polled 44.84, 42.10 and 41.47 percent, respectively. The others are Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Tirunelveli, Madurai and Sriperumbudur.

On the percentage of voting in Tamil Nadu in the first phase of elections, the state Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo said, "Till 3PM, the voting percentage for the entire state is 51.41%. The highest percentage of voting has been noted in Dharmapuri at 57.86%. Namakkal comes second with 57.67% voting. Minimum voting has been reported in the three constituencies of Chennai. Chennai Central is at 41.47%, Chennai South is at 42.10%, Chennai North is at 44.84%. Voting is going on smoothly in all the places."

AMMK General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran in Chennai, says, "We are also Amma's followers. People understand this and will vote for us...This time NDA will win in many constituencies in Tamil Nadu."

51.41% voter turnout recorded in Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha elections and 45.43% in Vilavankode Assembly by-election till 3pm

'Voting not just your duty, but also your right', says Actor-turned politician Kushboo casts her vote in Chennai

BJP has fielded actor turned-politician Raadhika Sarathkumar and DMDK has fielded Vijaya Prabhakaran from the Virudhunagar Assembly constituency.

The turnout for voting till 1 pm was 40.05% according to the Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo. A total of 39 Lok Sabha seats are in the fray today.

Ajith Kumar and Dhanush casts vote in Chennai

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, CM M K Stalin, former CMs O Panneerselvam and Edappadi K Palaniswami, along with political party leaders, participate in voting across various polling stations in Tamil Nadu for the Lok Sabha polls.

Governor RN Ravi emphasizes, "This is the festival of democracy...I am immensely happy and proud to have participated in it. This mark (inked finger) is the most beautiful insignia of a citizen."

Saffron party’s Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai responds to DMK's accusation of BJP distributing money in Coimbatore, asserting, "I am running this election as a matter of principle…If they can bring one voter...I will leave politics the same day."

Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief Seeman casts his vote in Chennai for the Lok Sabha election, noting the voters' enthusiasm as a sign of hope for change.

Udhayanidhi Stalin casts his vote

On the first phase polling day, BJP president JP Nadda urges all to join the electoral process, emphasizing each vote's role in combating corruption, promoting development, and empowering various sectors of society.

DMK leader A Raja casts his vote in Tamil Nadu’s Perambalur constituency, while actor Ajith Kumar exercises his voting right in Thiruvanmiyur for the Lok Sabha elections.

DMK leader Kanimozhi asserts the electoral battle in Tamil Nadu is between DMK and AIADMK, with BJP's absence. She predicts INDIA alliance's victory in all 39 seats and one in Puducherry.

Actor and MNM chief Kamal Haasan casts his vote in Chennai’s Koyembedu. While MNM isn't contesting, it supports and campaigns for DMK in the Lok Sabha polls.

In the first phase of polls, Tamil Nadu reports a 12.55% voter turnout by 9 AM. Kallakurichi constituency leads with over 15% voter participation.

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, the esteemed spiritual leader, casts his vote in the first phase of Tamil Nadu's Lok Sabha elections, emphasizing civic duty and citizen engagement in the electoral process.

DMK leader Kanimozhi casts her vote in Chennai, asserting that the BJP won't secure a significant position in Tamil Nadu. She predicts a victory for the INDIA alliance, securing all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry.

Contesting in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore constituency for the Lok Sabha elections are BJP’s state president K Annamalai, DMK's Ganapathy P Rajkumar, AIADMK’s Singai Ramachandran, and sitting MP, CPI(M)’s PR Natarajan.

Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam, contesting from Ramanathapuram, casts his vote in Theni. Supported by BJP-led NDA, he faces AIADMK’s Jayaperumal, IUML’s K Navasani, and NTK’s Chandraprabha in this election.

Bharatiya Janata Party South Chennai candidate Tamilisai Soundrajan cast her vote in Saligramam in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Voting is underway in all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu today. Soundararajan is pitted against DMK's incumbent MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian and AIADMK's J Jayavardhan. After casting her vote, she said, 'I am happy to cast my vote. For the past 30 years, this has been my booth. I appeal to all the citizens to come and vote because that is our right. Today is the holiday to cast our vote, not to enjoy. That is my humble appeal. When people vote, qualified and good people can be elected.' Tamilisai also appealed to the Election Commission to avoid any kind of delay at the polling booths. 'First-time voters may have some hesitation. I appeal to them to come to the booth as you have a democratic right to choose the person whom you want to be your MP and the PM. With the voting mark, you can take a selfie and upload it on your social media to motivate your friends. I appeal to the Election Commission that there should not be any delay and water facility should be.

BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai expresses confidence in PM Modi's leadership, predicting a historic outcome for NDA on June 4. He anticipates significant gains in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana, signalling a shift from Dravidian politics.

Congress leader P. Chidambaram expresses confidence in INDIA bloc's victory in Tamil Nadu's 39 seats, stating, "Absolutely confident" after voting in Sivaganga. He predicts success for the opposition coalition in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweets, "It is an important day today, as the first phase of voting is taking place in the country. I appeal to all the voters who are voting in this phase to vote in large numbers because every vote of yours has the power to create a secure, developed, and self-reliant India."

Seats targeted by BJP

Tamil Nadu BJP chief and Coimbatore candidate dismisses DMK's allegation of money distribution, emphasizing his principled election approach. He challenges Dravidian parties to produce evidence; vows to quit politics if proven.

BJP's South Chennai candidate, Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, urges all citizens to exercise their right to vote, emphasizing the importance of participation. She specifically appeals to first-time voters, encouraging them to overcome any hesitations and utilize their democratic right to choose their representative.

The BJP eyes significant progress in a historically challenging state, where its highest seat count was four in 1999. Despite drawing a blank in 2019, the party seeks to strengthen its presence, contrasting with AIADMK's narrow victory in Theni.

K Annamalai, BJP's Tamil Nadu chief and Coimbatore candidate, asserts he'll exit politics if any voter claims BJP bribery.

Tamilisai Soundarajan, the BJP's candidate for South Chennai, cast her vote at a polling booth in Saligramam, Chennai.

Tamil Nadu emerges as the pivotal battleground as it heads to the polls in a single phase. The BJP's strategic focus on the state for expansion comes amid near-saturation in the North. With a total of 39 seats and 6.2 crore electors, including 10.9 lakh first-time voters, the state's electoral dynamics draw national attention. In 2019, voter turnout stood at 72.49%, setting the stage for intense competition and significant political implications.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) spearheaded the UPA coalition to a resounding triumph, clinching 38 out of 39 seats in Tamil Nadu.

P Chidambaram, a prominent Congress leader, exercised his franchise at a polling booth in Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu, during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

At a polling booth in the Saligramam area of Tamil Nadu, preparations are in full swing for the South Chennai Parliamentary constituency. BJP's candidate, Tamilisai Soundararajan, former Governor of Telangana, is contesting from this seat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unprecedented 8 visits to Tamil Nadu in the last four months highlight the state's crucial importance for the BJP.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar calls upon citizens, including women, persons with disabilities (PwDs), senior citizens, and other sections, to actively participate in the high-stakes Lok Sabha Elections commencing today. With approximately 16.86 crore eligible voters and 1.86 lakh polling stations set up for the first phase covering 102 constituencies, Kumar emphasizes the extensive preparations undertaken over the past two years for the electoral process.

-K Annamalai: Contesting from Coimbatore, the state BJP president faces a formidable challenge from DMK's Ganapathy P Rajkumar and AIADMK's Singai Ramachandran.

- Tamilisai Soundararajan: In the Chennai South Lok Sabha seat, BJP's Tamilisai Soundararajan is set to compete against DMK's Thamizhachi Thangapandian and AIADMK's J Jayavardhan.

Coimbatore's Lok Sabha seat becomes the battleground for a high-stakes contest in the initial phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 19. Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai faces tough competition from DMK's Ganapathy P Rajkumar and AIADMK's Singai Ramachandran. Comprising six assembly segments, including Palladam, Sulur, Kavundampalayam, Coimbatore (North), Coimbatore (South), and Singanallur, the constituency's current MP is PR Natarajan of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Salem, a pivotal Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu, gears up for elections on April 19, featuring six assembly segments. Currently held by DMK's SR Parthiban, the contest sees notable candidates like Vignesh (AIADMK), TM Selvaganapathy (DMK), Manojkumar (Naam Tamilar Katchi), and Annadurai (PMK). With BJP-PMK alliance, NDA's influence adds intrigue to the electoral dynamics, potentially impacting voter sentiments in this traditionally AIADMK stronghold.

Thiruvallur (SC), Chennai North, Chennai South, Chennai Central, Sriperumbudur, Kancheepuram (SC), Arakkonam, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai, Arani, Villupuram (SC), Kallakurichi, Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Tiruppur, Nilgiris (SC), Coimbatore, Pollachi, Dindigul, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Cuddalore, Chidambaram (SC), Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam (SC), Thanjavur, Sivaganga, Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukkudi, Tenkasi (SC), Tirunelveli, and Kanniyakumari are the constituencies in Tamil Nadu for the Lok Sabha elections.

Chief Minister M K Stalin has dismissed BJP buzz as propaganda, framing the fight against the national party as vital for democracy's survival. Political strategist Prashant Kishor anticipates a significant surge in BJP's vote share in the state. State President K Annamalai, who left the IPS to join politics, energizes BJP's campaign, projecting that the party will secure double-digit seats.

"I want to serve the people. Because of that ambition, I resigned from the governorship and came. It will be the correct decision. People are supporting me," said BJP's South Chennai Lok Sabha candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan, expressing confidence in the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's schemes and the prospect of the lotus symbol flourishing in the region.

The BJP's vigorous campaign in Tamil Nadu for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been marked by intense debates and attacks on the DMK-Congress alliance. PM Modi's focus on development, Tamil culture, and denouncing corruption resonated throughout the state, setting a new tone in electoral discourse. Key battlegrounds like Coimbatore witnessed fierce competition, with BJP's K Annamalai challenging Dravidian giants. The campaign highlighted issues like the Katchatheevu dispute, Chinese incursions, and the drug menace, showcasing BJP's determination to break the electoral jinx in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu stands as the focal point of BJP's southern campaign, with the party's focus on the state's culture, Dravidian politics, and language. Despite initial setbacks in coalition dynamics, the BJP has forged alliances with PMK, Tamil Maanila Congress, and AMMK, aiming to challenge AIADMK's dominance. Led by polarizing figure K Annamalai, the BJP aims to emerge as a formidable alternative in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, challenging the stronghold of Dravidian parties.

With 3.17 crore registered female voters compared to 3 crore male voters, women take the lead in Tamil Nadu's Lok Sabha polls. Additionally, 8,467 third-gender voters participate in the electoral process.

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