A total of 3,728 candidates, including 318 women and two transgenders are in the fray for the 232 assembly seats. Though polling in Aravakurichi and Thanjavur assembly constituencies were deferred to May 23, they constitute a mere electoral exercise. Only if there is a hung assembly, will the results of these two constituencies tilt the balance to decide who will form the government.

Though three-tier security was ensured at EVM storage points, some party cadres felt their personal presence was necessary and they kept vigil outside the parameters in Chennai’s centres - Queen Mary’s College and Anna University – to ensure that EVMs were not tampered with. 

Counting for the 16 constituencies in Chennai will be done at Queen Mary’s College (for RK Nagar, Thiru-Vi-Ka-Nagar, Harbour, Chepauk-Triplicane and Royapuram constituencies), Loyola College (Perambur, Kolathur, Villivakkam, Egmore, Thousand lights, Anna Nagar) and Anna University (T-Nagar, Saidapet, Virugambakkam, Mylapore, Velachery). Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni said a total of 9,621 officials have been deployed on counting duty. 

Postal ballots will be counted first followed by votes recorded in the EVMs. A total of 3,236 tables will be set up in the counting centres for this. Of the 232 assembly segments, counting for 219 constituencies will have 14 tables each per round while in the remaining constituencies, table number will depend on votes polled.