Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: Average voter turnout across 39 constituencies at 39.51% as of 1 pm

The first phase of voting for Lok Sabha elections 2024 began today. (Representational)

Polling for all 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu began on April 19th, marking the initiation of the 2024 general elections. This phase serves as a litmus test for the BJP's aspirations to emerge as a significant political force challenging the dominance of Dravidian parties in the state. Notably, the BJP failed to secure any seats in Tamil Nadu during the 2019 elections.

During the 2019 elections, the DMK-led alliance swept 39 out of the 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. With nearly 6.23 crore electors in Tamil Nadu, a total of 950 candidates are in contention for the upcoming polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made multiple visits to the state during election campaigns, indicating the BJP's concerted efforts to establish a foothold. However, the primary contenders remain the Dravidian heavyweights, including the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

Stay tuned for the key highlights: Chennai Central maintains low voter turnout

Out of all the three Lok Sabha constituencies in the city, Chennai Central has the lowest polling in the state on April 19. Chief Electoral Satyabrata Sahoo stated that the voter turnout in this constituency was 24.09 percent at 11 am, 32.31 percent at 1 pm, and 41.47 percent at 3 pm.

Voter participation in Madurai at 35.79 percent; Mayiladuthurai at 35.79 percent

Krishnagiri recorded a turnout of 39.78 percent, while Madurai and Mayiladuthurai saw voter participation rates of 35.79 percent and 40.50 percent, respectively.

Voter participation in Kallakurichi at 46.06 percent; Kanniyakumari at 37.86 percent

Kallakurichi constituency witnessed a significant voter turnout of 46.06 percent, followed closely by Karur with 46.23 percent. In Kancheepuram, the turnout stood at 39.92 percent, and in Kanniyakumari, it was 37.86 percent.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: Voter participation in Cuddalore at 37.84 percent; Dharmapuri at 40.70 percent

Cuddalore and Dharmapuri constituencies reported turnout rates of 37.84 percent and 40.70 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, Dindigul witnessed a turnout of 42.12 percent, and Eorde saw 43.54 percent of voters casting their ballots.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: Voter participation in Arakkonam at 40.30 percent; Arani at 44.16 percent

In Arakkonam, voter participation stood at 40.30 percent, while in Arani, it rose to 44.16 percent, indicating a relatively higher turnout. Conversely, Chidambaram recorded a turnout of 37.76 percent, and Coimbatore saw 35.89 percent of registered voters exercising their franchise.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: Southern Parliament constituency voter turnout at 28.92 percent

In the southern Parliament constituency of Chennai, voter turnout was reported at 28.92 percent by 1 pm. Similarly, Chennai North recorded a turnout of 29.05 percent, while the Central Parliament constituency saw a turnout of 28.08 percent.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: Average voter turnout at 39.51 percent

According to the Election Commission of India, as of 1 pm, the average voter turnout across 39 constituencies in Tamil Nadu, where Lok Sabha elections are ongoing, stood at 39.51 percent.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president Vijay & Pollachi's BJP candidate Vasantha Rajan 

Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president Vijay casts his vote at a polling booth in Neelankarai, Chennai. Pollachi's BJP candidate Vasantha Rajan also casts his vote.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: Actor Vijay Sethupathi votes at a polling booth in Chennai

Actor Vijay Sethupathi & Comedian & Actor Yogi Babu cast their vote at a polling booth in Chennai. Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and his wife Lakshmi cast their vote at a polling booth in Chennai.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: Former CM and Ramanathapuram candidate O Panneerselvam casts his vote

Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and candidate from Ramanathapuram O Panneerselvam cast his vote at a polling booth in Theni. “The BJP alliance will definitely win. There is a BJP wave across the country. AIADMK will come back to me,” he said after casting his vote.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: Kamal Haasan, Ajith Kumar, cast their votes

Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan cast his vote at a polling booth in Chennai’s Koyembedu. Meanwhile, actor Ajith Kumar cast his vote at a polling booth in Thiruvanmiyur.

Celebrities such as Rajinikanth and Ilaiyaraaja were among the early voters.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: CM MK Stalin, BJP state president K Annamalai cast their votes

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and his wife cast their votes at a polling station in Chennai. Tamil Nadu BJP president and party candidate from Coimbatore seat K Annamalai also cast his vote at Uthupatti polling booth in Karur village.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: BJP candidate Pon Radhakrishnan casts his vote

BJP candidate from Kanyakumari Pon Radhakrishnan cast his vote for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 at a polling booth at SLB school in Nagercoil.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: K Annamalai exuded confidence in the BJP's prospects in Tamil Nadu

K Annamalai, Tamil Nadu BJP chief and the party's candidate from Coimbatore constituency, exuded confidence in the BJP's prospects, citing strong support from the people of Tamil Nadu for Prime Minister Modi. Annamalai predicted a historic victory for the NDA on June 4, with expectations of significant gains in vote share in Tamil Nadu. He also expressed optimism about the BJP's performance in Karnataka and Telangana, envisioning a clean sweep in the former and emerging as the leading party in the latter.

In his remarks, Annamalai declared the decline of Dravidian politics in Tamil Nadu, signaling a shift in the political landscape of the state.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: L Murugan casts his vote at a polling station in Koyambedu, Chennai

Union Minister and BJP candidate from Nilgiris, L Murugan casts his vote at a polling station in Koyambedu, Chennai.

DMK has fielded A Raja from the constituency. AIADMK's D. Lokesh Tamilselvan also contesting from here.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai emphasises civic duty

Following the completion of his voting process, Tamil Nadu BJP President and Coimbatore seat candidate, K Annamalai, highlighted the significance of citizen participation in democracy. Stressing the essential role of voting in a functioning democracy, Annamalai expressed confidence in the electorate's trust in good governance.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: K Annamalai casts his vote at a polling booth in Uthupatti, Karur

Tamil Nadu BJP chief and party's candidate from Coimbatore constituency, K Annamalai casts his vote at a polling booth in Uthupatti, Karur. He faces DMK's Ganapathy P. Rajkumar in the constituency.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: Congress candidate Karti P Chidambaram predicts BJP defeat in Tamil Nadu 

"People are very unhappy with the BJP-led central government and people will vote out the BJP government and they will overwhelmingly vote for the INDIA alliance in Tamil Nadu..."

On electoral bonds, he says, "...There has been a clear quid pro quo established with electoral bonds and the donations which the BJP has got. In fact, I am demanding an independent inquiry by three retired Supreme Court judges to go into the quid pro quo with electoral bonds."

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: P Chidambaram casts his vote 

Congress leader P Chidambaram casts his vote at a polling booth in Sivaganga.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: Edappadi K Palaniswami casts his vote

Former Tamil Nadu CM and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami casts his vote at a polling booth in Salem.