LIVE | Tamil Nadu Assembly election results 2026: DMK again, AIADMK comeback or TVK wave?

As results for Tamil Nadu Assembly election 2026 are trickling in, the DMK is leading from 33 seats, the AIADMK from 10, and the TVK from 8, based on postal votes that are being counted.

Key among these is Tiruchy West, where the TVK candidate is leading against DMK heavyweight KN Nehru.

At Coimbatore South, DMK’s V Senthilbalaji is leading, followed by TVK. Veteran politician KA Sengottaiyan, who quit AIADMK and joined TVK, is leading from Gobichettipalayam.

- DMK candidate for Tiruchy West KN Nehru is trailing by 582 votes

- TVK leader Vijay leads in Perambur

TVK Ramamurthy: 9,105

DMK KN Nehru: 8,523

AMMK M Rajasekar: 864

This year, a record-breaking 443 women stood as contesting candidates, a stark climb from the numbers seen just a decade ago.

- In 1991, the State saw its highest-ever representation of women, with 32 members elected to the House. Of the 171 women nominated, 102 ultimately contested, of whom 32 won (31.37 per cent).

- By 1996, that number had plummeted to just nine.

- In 2021, despite a then-record 413 women candidates, only 12 managed to secure a seat in the 234-member house, a dismal 5 per cent representation.

- The 2026 cycle continues a trend in which nearly 46 per cent of women candidates contest from urban centres such as Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, and Tiruchy. This is often attributed to higher literacy rates and more accessible campaign infrastructure in cities.

- While the number of women in rural constituencies has grown, the pace is slower than in urban areas. Most rural female candidates are fielded by major parties or are high-profile local leaders. However, the gap between “contesting” and “winning “remains a chasm.

Several exit polls last week had predicted the return of the DMK government in Tamil Nadu. Most projections placed the DMK and its allies in the 125-160 seat range in the 234-member Assembly. However, the India Today–Axis My India poll pointed to a potential surge for TVK, projecting it to win 98–120 seats.

1. Counting is conducted under the Returning Officer (RO) from 8 am onwards

2. Each round counts votes from 14 EVMs

3. Supervisors and micro-observers monitor each table

4. Staff are appointed via three-stage randomisation

5. Candidates and agents are present in the hall

6. Counting begins with Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballots (ETPB) and Postal Ballots (PB).

7. EVM counting starts 30 minutes later, even if PBs continue

8. At end of each round of counting, results from 14 EVMs are declared

9. VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) slips from usually 5 polling stations per constituency are verified to cross-check EVM results

10. Final votes are compiled; RO declares winner, issues certificate, and results are published

Twelve constituencies — Harbour and Edappadi. Veppanahalli, Hosur, Thalli, Palacode, Pennagaram, Dharmapuri, Omalur, Mettur, Sankari and Veerapandi — saw higher participation from men than women in voting. Notably, Thalli constituency has 5,958 more male voters than women.

Of the 2.93 crore eligible women voters across the State, 2.52 crore exercised their franchise in the Assembly polls. Overall, 2.35 crore men and 2.52 crore women cast their votes on April 23, translating to a turnout of 86.19% among women and 83.96% among men.

According to data released by the Election Department on Saturday, albeit nine days after polling, Tamil Nadu’s total voting percentage stood at 85.10, and women outnumbered men voters overall by 17.24 lakh votes in 222 constituencies. Constituencies such as Sholinganallur, Kavundampalayam, Madhavaram, Avadi and Sriperumbudur recorded higher participation from women.

Five constituencies—Karur (93.41%), Veerapandi (93.36%), Kulithalai (92.79%), Kumarapalayam (92.61%) and Palacode (92.57%) —recorded the highest turnout.

On the lower side, five constituencies in the southern region recorded the lowest turnout: Palayamkottai (68.90%), Killiyoor (71.26%), Madurai North (72.99%), Madurai Central (73.89%) and Karaikudi (74.20%).

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From new entrants and sulking patriarchs and matriarchs to culling of names after the special intensive revision of electoral rolls, there are too many variables for any sane person to place a bet on who will win the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, the results of which will be announced today.

- If the MK Stalin-led DMK retains power, it will make history, as the party has not secured consecutive victories since 1971 – a long gap of 55 years.

- If the AIADMK-led alliance wins, it will also create history, as it would be the party’s first Assembly victory after the death of its mascot and supremo, J Jayalalithaa, and opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswami would return as the Chief Minister, joining a stellar line-up that includes K Kamaraj, MG Ramachandran, M Karunanidhi, and Jayalalithaa to occupy the throne more than once.

- Now, if Vijay’s TVK wins, it would be an even bigger political milestone, comparable to the victory of MG Ramachandran. In fact, if that is the way the chips fall, it would be a more impactful debut, capturing power within two years of launching his party — MGR founded the AIADMK in 1972, won the Dindigul Lok Sabha bypoll the next year, and later won the Assembly election in 1977.

- Another factor is the presence of NTK and its seemingly indefatigable leader Seeman, who wears the defeats that he faced as a medal of honour. It still is a party that is far from harbouring any hopes of winning power. But in a three-corner fight like this one, even a fraction of votes that it gathers has the ability to upset the equations in select seats and thus the overall result.

- Within this war is the story of smaller but potentially important battles. PMK founder S Ramadoss, who is waging a tug-of-war with his son and party president Anbumani Ramadoss, and ousted AIADMK leader VK Sasikala have joined forces to lure Vanniyar and Thevar votes away from their parent parties. Both are aiming to teach their kin and erstwhile comrades a lesson.

- Then there is Puthiya Tamilagam leader K Krishnasamy, who hopes to eat into Pallar votes in south Tamil Nadu.

- They can play only spoilers at best, but even the smallest fractions are important for the AIADMK, as almost all votes they eat into will be from the NDA that it is leading in Tamil Nadu. On the other hand, the DMK will also have to keep an eye out for the impact that T Velmurugan would have in the northern region.

- If all these were not enough, there is the unknown element of special intensive revision. The purification of electoral rolls shortly before the election led to the removal of more than 67 lakh names.

Seats: 234

Total electors: 5,73,43,291

Votes polled: 4,88,28,832

Polling stations: 75,064

Voters turnout: 85.10%

Candidates: 4,023

Counting centres: 62

Total seizure value: Rs 543 crore

Counting day: May 4

KEY PLAYERS

(Seats in figures)

Secular Progressive Alliance:

DMK - 176

Congress – 28

DMDK – 10

VCK – 8

CPI – 5

CPM – 5

IUML - 2

National Democratic Alliance:

AIADMK - 172

BJP – 33

PMK – 18

AMMK - 11

TVK - 233

NTK - 234

VK Sasikala-led AIPTMMK - 78

S Ramadoss-led AJPK - 29

Other parties:

BSP - 160

T Velmurugan-led TAVK - 20

K Krishnasamy-led Puthiya Tamilagam – 10

TN Police warns that vehicles of those following Vijay’s convoy will be seized.