Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Tamil Nadu Bypolls See Brisk Voting Amid Tight Security
People are voting in special elections for two seats in Tamil Nadu.
The seats are in Madurantakam and Dharapuram.
They became vacant after two AIADMK lawmakers resigned and joined TVK.
Both are now running for TVK, against candidates from other parties.
Voting began at 7 a.m.
and is scheduled to end at 6 p.m.
Many people had voted by late morning, and turnout was higher in Dharapuram at the reported checkpoints.
Officials provided heavy security and checked voting machines.
A few technical issues and one complaint briefly interrupted voting, but officials said polling resumed.
The results are expected on October 9 and are being watched as an early test for the TVK government.
Voting began at 7 a.m. in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, with polling scheduled to continue until 6 p.m.; counting is due October 9.
The seats became vacant after AIADMK legislators Maragatham Kumaravel and P. Sathyabama resigned and joined TVK; both are running as TVK candidates.
The contests include TVK, DMK, AIADMK, Left parties and Naam Tamilar Katchi; reports differ on whether Madurantakam has 27 or 28 candidates.
By 9 a.m., turnout was 15.99% in Madurantakam and 17.55% in Dharapuram; by 11 a.m., reported turnout was 35.55% and 37.28%, respectively.
Polling proceeded under heavy security, with brief EVM or VVPAT glitches and a short pause after a DMK complaint about an EVM; officials said the issues were resolved.
- Who
- TVK, DMK, AIADMK, Left parties and Naam Tamilar Katchi candidates are contesting; former AIADMK legislators Maragatham Kumaravel and P. Sathyabama are running for TVK.
- What
- By-elections for the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies.
- When
- Polling began Tuesday, October 6, at 7 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 6 p.m.; counting is scheduled for October 9.
- Where
- Madurantakam in Chengalpattu district and Dharapuram in Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- The seats became vacant after AIADMK legislators resigned and joined TVK.
TVK's position
Opposition parties' position
Why the seats became vacant
TVK's position
TVK rejected horse-trading allegations, saying the former AIADMK legislators quit after becoming frustrated with the Palaniswami camp's efforts to join hands with the DMK.
Opposition parties' position
Opposition parties accused TVK of encouraging defections and described the resignations as horse-trading or betrayal of the party and voters.
What the results could signal
TVK's position
TVK leaders expect victories to demonstrate public support for the government and strengthen the party's position.
Opposition parties' position
Opposition parties hope to defeat TVK in at least one seat and present that outcome as evidence that it has lost public confidence.
- Polling hours
- 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Counting
- Scheduled for October 9
- Polling stations
- 285 in Madurantakam and 320 in Dharapuram
- Registered voters
- Madurantakam: 213,788; Dharapuram: 223,306; combined: 437,094
- Turnout by 9 a.m.
- Madurantakam: 15.99%; Dharapuram: 17.55%
- Turnout by 11 a.m.
- Madurantakam: 35.55%; Dharapuram: 37.28%
- Candidate totals
- Dharapuram had 22 candidates; reports give Madurantakam either 27 or 28 candidates.
- Security
- Madurantakam: 2,614 police and 480 Central Armed Police Forces personnel; Dharapuram: around 1,000 police personnel.
Sources
TN bypolls: Voting underway in Madurantakam, Dharapuram amid tight security
All lined up in TN for high stakes byelection; TVK, DMK keep fingers crossed
Tamil Nadu, Puducherry Bypolls Record Brisk Voting, Turnout Tops 15% By 9 AM
TN Byelections: Polling Begins, People Line up Enthusiastically to Cast Votes
Campaign Ends for Madurantakam and Dharapuram Bypolls: Why This is an Acid Test for TVK More Than Others
Stakes High for Major Contenders in Triangular By-Poll Contests After 3 Decades