Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Tamil Nadu Bypolls Record High Turnout as Party Defectors Contest
People in two Tamil Nadu constituencies voted in special elections on Tuesday.
Madurantakam had 85.99% turnout, while Dharapuram had 80.31%.
The votes will decide who represents those seats in the Assembly.
TVK candidates in both races had recently left the AIADMK and joined TVK.
Candidates from the DMK and AIADMK also competed.
The turnout was lower than in the general election.
TVK wants to increase its number of seats in the Assembly.
The results will also give the DMK and AIADMK an indication of their support.
Madurantakam recorded 85.99% turnout and Dharapuram 80.31% in Tuesday’s Tamil Nadu Assembly bypolls.
Both constituencies are reserved seats; voting ended at 6 pm.
TVK candidates Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama had recently left the Assembly after being elected on AIADMK tickets and joined TVK.
The bypoll turnout was below the general-election figures of 93.22% in Madurantakam and 89.99% in Dharapuram.
The contests involved TVK, DMK and AIADMK candidates, with the results seen as a test of party strength and Vijay’s popularity.
- Who
- Voters in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, with TVK, DMK and AIADMK candidates contesting.
- What
- Tamil Nadu Assembly bypolls were held in the two constituencies.
- When
- Tuesday; polling ended at 6 pm.
- Where
- Madurantakam and Dharapuram, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- The bypolls were held to fill vacant Assembly seats and would test party strength; the article says other vacancies could not be contested because of litigation.
- Madurantakam turnout
- 85.99%
- Dharapuram turnout
- 80.31%
- Polling ended
- 6 pm on Tuesday
- Madurantakam general-election turnout
- 93.22%
- Dharapuram general-election turnout
- 89.99%
- Assembly size
- 234 members
- TVK's existing strength
- 107 seats, according to the article