#TamilnaduElections2016: Constituencies at a glance

Salem district is surrounded by mountains and hillocks. With the sex ratio at 954, Salem is ranked the second lowest after Dharmapuri while the literacy rate recorded in the district (72.86 per cent) is lower the state’s average (80.09 per cent). During the 2011 Assembly election, all 11 constituencies in the district were swept by the AIADMK front (AIADMK won eight and DMDK won three). 

Though PMK is gaining its vote share here, only Congress, ADMK and DMK have dominated in the district in the past. Veerapandi constituency, having polled 89.16 per cent votes, witnessed the highest voter turnout in the state during 2011 election.  

Out of 11 constituencies in the district, two (Gangavalli and Attur) have been reserved for SC and one, Yercaud, for ST. Out of 134 contestents in 2011, only seven women were women. The SC constituency Gengavalli witnessed a maximum of four women. The district polled 940 49 (O) in 2011, with Salem North constituency registering the most, 274. 

Total No of voters: 1,83,269

Votes polled: 1,50,047

Polling percentage: 81.87% 

Winner: Subha R (DMDK)

Runner-up: Chinnadurai K (DMDK)

Margin: 13,465 votes

Gengavalli (SC) was created after the delimitation process in 2008 by adding parts of Kallakurichi Parliament constituency. The constituency has parts of Gangavalli taluk, Attur taluk, Aragalur, Navalur, Anayampatti. Four women candidates (BSP, IJK, DMDK and IND) contested in 2011 election from here. Winning party: DMDK (2011).

Total No of voters: 1,96,894 

Votes polled: 1,58,536

Polling percentage: 80.93% 

Winner: Madheswaran S (AIADMK) 

Runner-up: Arthanari SK (INC)

Margin: 29,856 votes 

C Palanimuthu of Congress party won here consecutively three times in 1977, 1980 and 1984. AM Ramasamy of DMK was also elected as from here twice in 1989 and 1996. From 1962, INC had won the seat five times and DMK won four times. Winning parties: AIADMK (2011), INC (2006), ADMK (2001), DMK (1996), ADK (1991), DMK (1989) and INC (1984).

Total No of voters: 2,10,158 

Votes polled: 1,79,492

Polling percentage: 85.42% 

Winner: Perumal C (AIADMK)

Runner-up: Tamilselvan C (DMK) 

Margin: 37,582 votes

C Perumal was a three time MLA of the constituency in 1989, 1991 and 2011. ADMK has won here as many as seven times and DMK four times. Winning parties: AIADMK (2013 Bye Poll), AIADMK (2011), DMK (2006), ADMK (2001), DMK (1996), ADK (1991), ADK (1989) and INC (1984).

Total No of voters: 2,40,469 

Votes polled: 2,09,974

Polling percentage: 87.31% 

Winner: Saroja P (AIADMK)

Runner-up: Maran V (DMK)

Margin: 78,116 votes

The byelection for the constituency was held in 2013 after the death of its MLA C Perumal. The number of votes (78,116 votes) P Saroja secured in the election was more than twice her husband C Perumal had (previous MLA) secured (37,582) in 2011.

Total No of voters: 2,27,342 

Votes polled: 1,87,770

Polling percentage: 83.13% 

Winner: Krishnan C (AIADMK)

Runner-up: Tamizharasu A (PMK)

Margin: 46,544 votes

The sitting MLA, C Krishnan of ADMK is a three-time MLA of the constituency in 1989, 1991 and 2011. Though PMK is gaining its vote share here consistently, it is considered as an ADMK fort. Winning parties: AIADMK (2011), PMK (2006), ADMK (2001), TMC (1996), ADK (1991), ADK (1989) and INC (1984).

Total No of voters: 2,12,992 

Votes polled: 1,69,607

Polling percentage: 79.79% 

Winner: Parthiban SR (DMDK)

Runner-up: Mani GK (PMK)

Margin: 2,594 votes

Known for its Stanley reservoir, the constituency is bordering with Karnataka. ADMK leader KP Nachimuthu was elected three consecutive times here in 1977, 1980 and 1984 elections. PMK president GK Mani lost to DMDK candidate SR Parthiban in by just 2,594 votes in 2011. Winning parties: DMDK (2011), PMK (2006), ADMK (2001), DMK (1996), ADK (1991) and CPM (1989).