AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa is poised for a successive term in office after winning in 134 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The three-time Chief Minister will be the first person after MGR to be elected to two contiguous terms.
Making a victory speech outside her Poes Garden residence, she thanked the voters for choosing her party and vowed to work for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu.
“I am overwhelmed by the resounding victory the people of Tamil Nadu have given us. My party and I are indebted to the people of Tamil Nadu for giving this historic victory,” she said. > More....
In Chennai, though, the DMK has bucked the trend to gain back its stronghold from the ruling party.
Live updates:
11:55 p.m.: And the counting finally wraps up in Tamil Nadu, where the AIADMK has swept the 2016 Assembly elections with 134 seats.
7:29 p.m.: CEO Rajesh Lakhoni says the election saw 5,53,000 NOTA votes across constituencies in TN.
7:16 p.m.: Who won what in Chennai?
Seats won by AIADMK
R.K. Nagar | Jayalalithaa |
Theyagaraya Nagar | B. Sathyanarayanan |
Mylapore | K. Natraj |
Perambur | P. Vetrivel |
Virugambakkam | Virugai Ravi |
Royapuram | D. Jayakumar |
Seats won by DMK
Kolathur | M. K. Stalin |
Villivakkam | B. Ranganathan |
Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar | P. Siva Kumar |
Egmore | K.S. Ravichandran |
Harbour | P.K. Sekar Babu |
Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni | J. Anbazaghan |
Thousand Lights | Selvam Ku. Ka |
Anna Nagar | Mohan M.K. |
Saidapet | M.A. Subramanian |
Velachery | Vagai Chanderasekar |
6:56 p.m.: The Government has declared holiday on May 23 in areas coming under Aravakurichi and Thanjavur constituencies.
6:40 p.m.: PT leader Krishnasamy was defeated by AIADMK candidate Sundaraj by a margin of 501 votes in Ottapidaram in final round. The official declaration is awaited as the recounting postal votes is under way.
6:31 p.m.:Tamil film action heroes lose out
An exception to the trend, however, was DMK-nominee Vagai Chandrasekar who has played supportive roles in Tamil movies. > More...
6:25 p.m.: P. Palaniappan makes a comeback at the end, now leads Paapireddipatti by 7,000 votes; PMK loses the only seat in which it was leading
6:20 p.m.: In Kattumannarkoil, AIADMK candidate Murugumaran defeats VCK's Thirumaavalavan by 87 votes.
5:56 p.m.: AIADMK wins Hosur seat by 22,964 votes, wrests the seat from the Congress that held the seat for three terms.
5:42 p.m.: Former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam win Bodinayakannur seat by 15,608 votes.
5:30 p.m.: AIADMK Pollachi candidate V. Jayaraman with his certificate outside counting centre in Coimbatore. Photo: Karthik Madhavan
4:57 p.m.: Minister for Information and Special Schemes Implementation K .T. Rajendra Bhalaji retains Sivakasi AC by a margin of 14,748 votes, defeating his nearest rival, C. Sreeraja, of the Congress.
4:30 p.m.: The AIADMK is set to bag five out of the eight seats in Ramnad and Sivaganga districts. The Congress and the DMK are poised to get one seat each.
4:23 p.m.: In Tambaram, DMK candidate leads by 8,179 votes. He is poised to win with a big lead.
4:12 p.m.: In Perambur, AIADMK's P. Vetrivel is leading by a slender margin of 519.
4:06 p.m.: AIADMK's little-known candidate, M. Chandra Prabha pulls off a stunning win by a huge margin of 36,673 votes over Puthiya Tamilgam's C. Muthukumar in Srivillipittur.
4:03 p.m.: Srivaikuntam sitting MLA Shanmuganathan of ADMK wins by a margin of 3,531votes.
3:44 p.m.: NCP MP Supriya Sule greets Jayalalithaa:
Congratulations to Tamilnadu CM J.Jaylalitah ji, on her second consecutive term. Best wishes
— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) >May 19, 2016
3:41 p.m.: Another dramatic finish -- this time's it's in Natham. DMK's Andi Ambalam wins natham by defeating AIADMK rival S. Shajahan.
3:40 p.m.: In Sholinganallur, DMK's Aravind Ramesh is leading AIADMK's N. Sundaram by 11,230 votes.
3:35 p.m.: AIADMK wins five of the six seats in Nagapattinam district; DMK wins one.
3:28 p.m.: In Oddanchatram, the former DMK whip R. Sakkarapani retains his seat for the fifth time in a row, defeating AIADMK's K. Kitusamy by a margin of 65,727 votes.
3:27 p.m.: C. Vijaya Bhaskar, the Health Minister and AIADMK candidate wins by a 8,716 vote margin.
3:22 p.m.: Our Correspondent S. Sundar reports: "AIADMK has a stronger opposition now"
Despite a huge victory for both the former Ministers of DMK, disappointment was lit large on the faces of K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, and Thangam Thennarasu, as the party failed to romp home a simple majority in the State Assembly. Mr. Thennarasu attributed it to the evident anti-incumbency wave. "People will realise [their mistake] very shortly," he said. > Continue reading...
3:11 p.m.: In Killiyoor, Congress candidate S. Rajesh Kumar wins by a margin of 46,295 votes.
3:10 p.m.: In a dramatic turnaround, DMK candidate Jayaramakrishnan wins Madathukulam towards the end after trailing for most of the day.
3:09 p.m.: PMK 's Sathyamoorthy leads by 8,000 votes in Paapireddypatty as Minister Palaniappan trails.
3:07 p.m.: Durai Ramachandran of the DMK, defeats MGM Subramanaian of the AIADMK in Tiruvaiyaru by a margin of 14,343 votes. Thamimun Ansari of Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi, contesting under the AIADMK symbol, wins in Nagapattinam.
2:50 p.m.: DMK candidate E. Ramar wins Kulithalai seat.
2:45 p.m.: AIADMK candidate E. Rathinasabapathy surges ahead of Thirunavukkarasar's son Ramachandran, Congress, in Aranthangi. and gains a lead of about 700 votes.
2:36 p.m.: Recording his fourth consecutive win from Thiruchendur, DMK candidate Anitha Radhakrishnan has won with a margin of over 26,001 votes, against actor Sarath Kumar.
2:33 p.m.: In Tambaram, S.R. Raja of the DMK leads by 4,048 votes at the end of round 14.
2:22 p.m.: Dayanidhi Maran says, "The DMK was poised to win the election but money power helped the AIADMK win the final leg of campaign, and the election." He says the failure on the part of the Election Commission to prevent distribution of money by the ruling party has helped them win as there has never been a close victory till date.
2:20 p.m.: N. Nagarajan, AIADMK, defeats Jerome Arockiaraj, Congress, by a margin of 21,894 votes in Tiruchi East.
1:59 p.m.: AIADMK general secretary and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa says, "The results aren't out yet but the people of TN have reposed their faith on the AIADMK by helping us win the election. I want to the thank the people of TN. I have no other interests in life, except working for the people of TN.There are no words that can describe what I'm feeling at this moment. I'll fulfill all the promises mentioned in the election manifesto. I'm forever indebted to the people of Tamil Nadu." She also thanked the party cadre for their efforts that helped the AIADMK clinch victory.
1:58 p.m.: In Nagercoil, former DMK Minister N. Suresh Rajan is leading by 10,304 votes against his rival BJP candidate M.R. Gandhi.
1:55 p.m.: In the high-profile seat of Kolathur in Chennai, DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin decimates his opponents by winning by a 11,999 vote margin.
M.K. Stalin addressing the media at Loyola college counting center in Chennai, on Thursday. Photo : B.Jothi Ramalingam
1:52 p.m.: It's DMK all the way in Tambaram. S.R. Raja leads by 5,140 votes at the end of round 12.
1:44 p.m.: T. Madhavan reports: Tambaram DMK's S.R. Raja leads by 5,020 votes at the end of round 11.
1:40 p.m.: AIADMK's T.Nagar candidate Sathyanarayanan wins by a margin of over 3000 votes.
1:40 p.m: Anbumani's pushed to the third spot at the end of round seven in Pennagaram. The DMK is leading the pack at the moment; the PMK trails the AIADMK by 900 votes.
01:35 p.m.:
44 out of the 234 constituencies see the leader leading/ winning by less than 1000 votes in >#TamilNadu . This is a very very close election.
— Srinivasan Ramani (@vrsrini) >May 19, 2016
01:33 p.m.: In an extremely close contest, the DMK leads by just 14 votes in Kinathukadavu against the AIADMK.
01:32: In Krishnagiri district, the DMK leads in Thally, Vepanahalli, and Krishnagiri; AIADMK leads in Bargur, Hosur and Uthangarai, our correspondent P.V. Srividya reports.
01:29 p.m.: Going strong in round 14 of counting is the DMK's K.N. Nehru in Tiruchi West, with a lead of 19,274 votes, reports R. Rajaram.
01:27 p.m.: AIADMK councillor ransacks the Kotturpuram DMK election office in chitra nagar. Two DMK cadres have been injured.
01:24 p.m.: The DMK alliance leads with a margin of over 10,000 votes in Vilavancode, Killiyoor, Padmanabhapuram, Colachel, and with a margin of over 2,000 votes in Kanyakumari and Nagercoil.
01:14 p.m.: AIADMK set to win Karur and Krishnarayapuram, DMK consolidates in Kulithalai.
12:58 p.m.: The PMK's J. Guru trails in Jayamkondam by 6,957 votes.
12:56 p.m.: Dharapuram Congress candidate Kalimuthu wrests the lead from AIADMK after eighth round.
12:51 p.m.: DMK president M.Karunanidhi likely to win by highest ever margin in his political career. He extends his lead by 50,524 in Tiruvarur, higher than 50,249, his victory margin in 2006.
12:49 p.m.:AIADMK cadres paint party flag colours on their faces to celebrate the victory of Assembly elections results 2016, in Madurai on Thursday. Photo: R. Ashok
12:41 p.m.: AIADMK wins and retains Vilathikulam constituency.
12:39 p.m.: " I convey my heartiest thanks to voters who have reaffirmed their faith on me and given me another chance," says Ms. Jayalalithaa.
12:33 p.m.: Meanwhile, K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu of the DMk look set to win.
12:30 p.m.: Thanking party cadres, functionaries and alliance leaders, AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa promises to implement all the schemes in the manifesto. "People have put a full stop to family rule," she says. "The historic win upholds democracy. I Promise to make Tamil Nadu the No. 1 state in the country."
12:27 p.m.: In Pudukottai district, out of six seats, the DMK leads in three, the Congress in one and the AIADMK in two
12.24 p.m.: In Palani, in the seventh round, the DMK sees a lead against the AIADMK.
12:20 p.m.: AIADMK leads by 9,000 votes in Mettupalayam after round 12. The ruling party polls 50,572 votes.
12:19 p.m.: DMK candidate Sivasankar leads by 1,567 votes in Ariyalur constituency in the fifth round.
12:16 p.m.: Round five in Pennagaram sees Anbumani gain a lead, even though the PMK's chief ministerial candidate still trais behind the DMK by 3,000 votes.
12:15 p.m.: In Chennai's Harbour constituency, the seat that had the lowest voter turnout, the DMK's Sekar Babu leads against the AIADMK's Srinivasan.
12:13 p.m.: In Tambaram, the DMK's S.R. Raja leads by 1,434 votes att he end of round six.
12:11 p.m.: P.V. Srividya reports: Higher Education Minister Palaniappan trails behind PMK by 7,399 votes in Paapireddypatty.
12:09 p.m.: Bucking the trend, former DMK Ministers K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu take huge leads in Aruppukottai and Tiruchuli seats
12:06 p.m.: AIADMK candidate in Madurai north and former Mayor V.V. Rajan Chellapa leads by 13,743 votes after five rounds.
12:04 p.m.: In Andipatti, Bodi and Cumbum, the AIADMK has strong leads over the DMK.
12:01 p.m.: In Krishnagiri, voters seems to have been split down the middle with with three constituencies each favouring either party.
11:59 a.m.: In Perambalur and Thiurparankundram, following the trend in the rest of the state, the AIADMK is leading. In Rajapalayam, the ruling party makes a strong comeback with a lead of 1,808 votes.
11:47 a.m.: It's a close contest in Theyagaraya Nagar. The DMK is likely to win in Saidapet and Velachery constituencies.
11:46 a.m.:D.J. Walter Scott reports: AIADMK leading in Ramnathapuram, Paramakudi and Tiruvadanai and Congress in Mudukulathur
11:39 a.m.: The tables have turned in Dharmapuri -- AIADMK is now leading with 20332; PMK falls to third place.
11:31 a.m.: In round three, DMK leads Thally by 1,321 votes, and in round six, the PMK leads in Dharmapuri by 112 votes.
11:27 a.m.: M.K. Stalin's close associate Mahesh Poyyamozhi of the DMK leads by 5,646 votes in Tiruverumbur.
11:26 a.m.: O.Panneerselvam holds his lead in Bodi with 31,108 votes. In Tiruchi east too, the AIADMK is leading after the tenth round, by 16,808 votes.
11:20 a.m.:
Had a telephone conversation with Jayalalithaa ji and congratulated her on her victory. Also conveyed my best wishes to her. >@AIADMKOfficial
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) >May 19, 2016
11:18 a.m.: In Thiruvarur, where M. Karunanidhi is contesting, hoping to become the Chief Minister for the sixth time, the DMK supremo is leading by 14,486 votes.
11:17 a.m.: In Karur, it is a close fight. The AIADMK leads by just 79 votes.
11:13 a.m.: In the Tuticorin district, the AIADMK leads in Vilathikulam, Srivaikuntam and Kovilpatti; DMK leads in Tuticorin, Tiruchendur and Ottapidaram. SImilarly in Pudukottai district, the two parties lead in three seats each.
11:11 a.m.: AIADMK Candidate and former Mayor V.V. Rajan Chellapa leads by 11,444 votes after four rounds, in Madurai North.
11:09 a.m.: PMK cadres in the Pennagaram counting hall are tense as their candidate Anbumani Ramadoss is trailing.
11:08 a.m.: The seesaw in Virudhunagar constituency continues as the AIADMK loses its lead.
11:02 a.m.: In Tambaram too, the DMK is leading at the end of round three by 997 votes.
11 a.m.: Chief Minister Jayalalithaa will soon address reporters at her Poes Garden residence in Chennai.
10:58 a.m.: The AIADMK leads in Manaparai by 2,841 votes after round five.
10:54 a.m.: In the constituency well-known for its cash-for-votes scandal, Thirumangalam, AIADMK's R.B. Udhayakumar leads.
10:51 a.m.: AIADMK cements a lead in Krishnarayapuram. The ruling party is ahead by 2,570 seats.
10:49 a.m.: Strongholds are falling this election, as the CPI seems to be trailing behind in Thally. Instead, the DMk is leading in this seat.
10:47 a.m.: In Kulithalai though, DMK candidate Ramar establishes a clear lead.
10:45 a.m.: Hosur, a Congress stronghold, has the AIADMK leading with 3,295 votes.
10:44 a.m.: In a turnaround, the AIADMK regains a lead in Virudhunagar in the seventh round. Its candidate K. Kalanithi leads with 972 votes.
10:43 a.m.: The DMK front leads in Palayamkottai, Nanguneri, Radhapuram, Alangulam and Kadayanallur. The AIADMK leads in Tirunelveli, Vasudevanallur, Sankarankovil, Ambasamudram and Tenkasi.
10:40 a.m.: And the DMK's recapture of Chennai city continues: Anbazhagan of the DMK leads in Chepauk.
10:38 a.m.: Electricity Minister Natham R. Viswanathan is trailing in Athoor, while the Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam is leading in Bodi by 5,000 votes.
10:34 a.m.: A strange scene unfolded in the Pennagaram Kandampalayam booth, as 710 votes were counted in the presence of the observer, but the booth officer failed to record the number of votes.
10:34 a.m.: Counting has been stopped in Karur and Kancheepuram as officials face EVM snags.
10:32 a.m.:At the AIADMK office in Madurai. Photo: R. Ashok
10:29 a.m.: Our TN Chief of Bureau Ramya Kannan says: "Early trends have started to pour in from the various counting centres in the state, and with that a clear trend has emerged — the AIADMK has a strident lead. Proving most exit polls wrong, it becomes abundantly clear that there was no anti incumbency wave to sweep the votes from the AIADMK, nor any other single event that would send votes away from the party."
"Interestingly, these trends have emerged from across the state, not just in the west or south which may be read as traditional AIADMK bastions, and therefore representative of how this election will be called. Going by these trends, it does seem that Ms. Jayalalithaa will come back to power comfortably, repeating a feat in Tamil Nadu that has only been achieved once before by her mentor MGR — be elected two contiguous terms as Chief Minister."
10:25 a.m.: AIADMK establishes a clear lead in Tiruchi east over Congress by 11,211 votes after round five. In Tuticorin, DMK leads with 6,821 votes after the fourth round.
10:22 a.m.: Keeping up with their leads in other constituencies in Chennai city, the DMK leads in T. Nagar too, with 3,080 votes.
10:19 a.m.: In five of six constituencies in the Nagapattinam district, at the end of the first round, the AIADMk is leading. And, the DMK's candidate in Keezh Velur, former Minister U. Mathivanan leads by 2,258 votes, reports our correspondent S. Ganesan .
10:16 a.m.: One of the DMK's alliance partners, the Puthiya Thamizhagam party is leading in Ottapidaram.
10:14 a.m.: In Palani and Oddanchatram, the DMk is leading, and Nilakottai sees a big AIADMk lead.
10:09 a.m.: In Dharmapuri, the PMK leads by 884 votes, in Harur by 2,140 and Papireddypatti by 704 votes. But their chief ministerial candidate, Anbumani Ramadoss is trailing in Pennagaram.
10:04 a.m.: The Congress' Vijayatharini leads in Vikavancode, with 2,373 votes.
10:03 a.m.:Scenes of celebration at the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai.
10:00 a.m.: Udhav Naig from Saidapet, Chennai reports: still a close fight, the difference between the AIADMK () and DMK (8652) is 81.
1 9:59 a.m.: Vimal gives us the latest from Udumalpet: AIADMK's K. Radhakrishnan gets 3924 votes; DMK's M.K. Muthu is at 3295 votes.
9:58 a.m.: D.J. Walter Scott from Ramanathapuram says Jawahirullah is leading by 400 votes over Manikandan of AIADMK after three roudns of counting.
9:54 a.m.: Madurai Mayor Rajan Chellappa of AIADMK leading with 5287 votes after first round.
9:52 a.m.: AIADMK leading in Kunnam by 272 votes after second round of counting.
9:46 a.m.:Poorvaja S. says DMK's leading in Velachery and Virugambakkam with 3239 votes and 3358 votes, respectively.
9:45 a.m.: Chief Minister Jayalalithaa maintains a healthy lead over 5000 votes in R.K. Nagar constituency.
9:43 a.m.:R. Rajaram says AIADMK is leading in Mettupalayam by 1,600 votes and in Perambalur by 1207 after round one.
9:41 a.m.:Pon Vasanth reporting from Thirumangalam in Madurai: Minister R.B. Udhayakumar of AIADMK leading after 2 rounds.
9:34 a.m.: Big news! Reports say DMDK chief Vijayakant is trailing with 2466 votes in Ulundurpet after two rounds of counting.
9:28 a.m.: A tight battle is being fought in Pennagaram -- DMK is leading after first round of counting by 103 votes.
9:23 a.m.:Balaganessin reports: AIADMK leading Mayiladuthuai and Poompuhar after first round.
9.21 a.m.:Counting of votes in Tiruchi.
9:19 a.m.: Our Dindigul Correspondent K. Raju says former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam is leading Bodinayakanur with 2797 votes.
9:16 a.m.: R. Srikanth, reporting from Chennai, says there's tension prevailing outside the counting centre in Queen Marys college with both DMK and AIADMK cadres claiming victory.
9:12 a.m.: Udhav Naig from Saidapet, Chennai, says it's a very close fight between the two leading parties. Only 14 votes separate them -- DMK's at 4282 and the AIADMK has got 4268.
9:10 a.m.: News coming in from Padmanabhapuram: After first round, DMK candidate Mano Thangaraj is leading by 745 votes.
9:07 a.m.: Palladam AIADMK candidate Natarajan is leading by 1368 votes.
9:05 a.m.:P.V. Srividya and R. Rajaram report : AIADMK leading in Vepanahalli Constituency in Krishnagiri and in Tiruchi East.
9:03 a.m: NOTA gets fourth spot with 80 in Virudhunagar AC after first round.
9:00 a.m.: Jayalalithaa leads in R.K. Nagar constituency by 1906 votes; Ganesan Santhanam, from Tiruchi, says DMK president M. Karunanidhi is leading by 2281 votes in Tiruvarur.
8:57 a.m.: Sources say DMK candidate Anitha Radhakrishnan leads Sarathkumar by 2839 votes in Tiruchendur.
8:52 a.m.:Sundar Subbaiah says AIADMK's K. Kalanithi is leading in Virudhunagar AC by 1495 after first round.
8:49 a.m.: Our Tirupur Correspondent Vimal says AIADMK candidate Vijayakumar is leading in Tirupur North constituency by 87 votes.
8:46 a.m.: Counting of votes polled in Chengalpattu Constituency was delayed as the key of the strong room was reportedly missing! Hence, counting of votes was delayed by 45 minutes as the officials opened the strong room using the duplicate key at around 8:40 a.m.
While the Returning Officer, Panneerselvam in consultation with the political party representatives decided to break open the lock, the election observer, Abhakhan Shree refused to accept the decision and directed the RO to search for the key.
8:44 a.m.: DMK's leading in Egmore; AIADMK's Parithi Ellamvazhuthi is trailing at the moment.
8:40 a.m.: Sources say Natham R. Viswanathan is trailing in Aathoor. DMK's Periasamy is ahead.
8:37 a.m.: News coming in from Colachel: 325 postal votes from defence personnel has no seal of origin of posting. 323 AIADMK, 2 for NOTA. Cong, BJP opposed.
8:26 a.m.: It's a neck-and-neck race with DMK leading three seats and the AIADMK in two.
8:20 a.m.: DMK takes the first lead in postal ballots, TV channels show.
8:06 a.m.:
Officials ready to take up counting at Saranathan Engineering College in Tiruchi. Photo: M.Srinath
8:01 a.m.:P.V. Srividya reports: Postal ballot counting started in six constituencies of Krishnagiri and five in Dharmapuri.
7:54 a.m.: Our Ramanathapuram Correspondent D.J. Walter Scott says EVMs will be opened after counting of 1300-odd postal ballots. And for the unintiated, he's explaining the process here:
"There are 14 counting tables for each Assembly segment and the votes polled in a EVM would be counted after the micro observer has tallied the votes. The counted votes would be updated by a data operator after another observer gives a go ahead to it. Candidates and their agents would be taken into confidence before going ahead with next step. One round is likely to take 40 to 50 minutes."
7:48 a.m.: Who said what? A look at what some of the high profile candidates had to say after the polling. > Continue reading...
7.41 a.m.: Our Tiruchi Correspondent R. Rajaram says there's heavy police bandobust at both counting centres in the city.
7.31 a.m.: Here's what the different parties had promised as a part of their election manifesto:
DMK
Targeting the younger generation, the DMK manifesto promised waiver of education loans, tablets or laptops bundled with 3G/4G internet connection and 10GB per month download option for 16 lakh students and smart phones for poor families. > Continue reading...
AIADMK
100 free units of power every 2 months; farm and education loan waivers; Amma banking cards to avail govt. services; Rs. 1 lakh for temples of local deities. > Continue reading...
PMK
The draft manifesto of the party annunces sweeping reforms to ensure transparency in administration. > Continue reading...
7.27 a.m. : For the first time in the electoral history of the State, more women cast their votes than men, even as the overall polling percentage in 232 constituencies across the State touched 74.26.
7.03 a.m.: Our political Correspondent Sruthisagar Yamunan writes: While AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa hopes to break the anti-incumbency curse and become the first Chief Minister to win two consecutive elections since 1984, a victory for the DMK would mean its president M. Karunanidhi would take over the top post for a record sixth time. > Continue reading ...
7.00 a.m.: A total of 3,236 counting tables have been arranged in the counting centres across the State. Due to high number of voters in 219 constituencies, each round will have 14 tables. Over 13,000 persons are to be involved in the counting process.
6.55 a.m.: Hello and welcome to our live coverage. One hour more to go before we begin to find out who will win the mandate in Tamil Nadu. With the counting of votes in 232 constituencies set to begin at 8 a.m., the voting trend in the initial rounds could, by noon, indicate which party would form the next government in the State.
