On April 23, 2026, voting in Tamil Nadu faced significant challenges, including allegations of widespread cash handouts and gifts by candidates, as well as difficulties for voters trying to travel to their polling locations. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has not yet responded to these concerns.
Reports from journalists and activists highlighted instances of money being distributed for votes throughout the state, even after the ECI confiscated some funds and items. While media outlets detailed the sums provided by various parties in specific areas, no official reports came from journalists to the ECI. Instead, a nonprofit group took action. On April 22, Arappor Iyakkam urged the ECI to delay voting in Alangulam, Mylapore, and Thirumangalam constituencies.
In a social media update on X, the organization stated it had contacted Tamil Nadu’s Chief Electoral Officer and an observer, requesting the immediate suspension of elections in those areas due to evident cash distribution and efforts to sway voters. A letter to Chief Election Officer Archana Patnaik emphasized that despite widespread reports of large-scale cash giveaways, the ECI had taken minimal steps to prevent them. It called for prompt intervention where clear evidence existed. As of now, the ECI has issued no reply.
Numerous voters expressed frustration over transportation barriers preventing them from reaching their hometowns in time for the election. Some shared their experiences online. On polling day, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leader and actor Vijay sent a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer, calling for better statewide transport coordination. He described chaotic conditions at bus terminals in Chennai’s Koyambedu, Kilambakkam, and Madhavaram, as well as similar sites elsewhere.
Vijay noted that thousands of people, including those traveling from abroad, other states, or within Tamil Nadu, were stranded because vehicles were heavily allocated for election duties without alternatives for the public. He requested an extension of voting hours to 8 p.m. The ECI has not publicly addressed this.
The ECI’s push for fair elections has ironically contributed to the problem by requisitioning much of the state’s public transport for its operations, leading to reduced regular bus services by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation and overcrowding at terminals.
Additionally, some voters discovered their names absent from the electoral lists, even after reapplying earlier in the year following previous removals. In one instance, an online check on April 23 showed the roll as updated, including details of the submission and verification process. The form was filed on January 28, reviewed by a block-level officer the next day, verified through a field visit, and approved on February 9. Yet, the voter found no record at the polling site.
Comparable issues arose statewide. A woman in Chennai’s Kannagi Nagar reported her name missing while her son’s appeared. Another in Royapettah noted her exclusion, though her husband’s was listed.
In the 2021 elections, Tamil Nadu saw a 73.63% turnout from 6.28 crore registered voters, with 4.62 crore casting ballots. For 2026, following an uneven special revision process, around 70 lakh names were deleted, leaving 5.73 crore voters. The initial phase removed 97 lakh entries, with 27 lakh later added, resulting in over 10% net deletions against a 0.3% population growth rate.
In 2021, the DMK-led coalition secured 159 seats with 45.72% of votes, including partners like Congress, Left parties, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. The AIADMK alliance won 75 seats with 40.02% of votes. The BJP and Pattali Makkal Katchi were also involved in the political landscape.
