Tamil Nadu witnessed brisk polling in 232 Assembly constituencies with over 25 per cent voters exercising their franchise by 11 a.m. Over 300 companies of paramilitary personnel are involved in election duty. The polling will continue till 6 p.m. today.
There were also reports of polling machines developing technical snags in Tirunelveli and Theni districts.
Stalin demands CBI inquiry into distribution of money
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam treasurer M.K. Stalin demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged money distribution in Aravakurichi and Thanjavur constituencies where the election have been postponed. Mr. Stalin alleged that a senior minister including Chief Minister Jayalalithaa were involved in the irregularities. >More...
Rajinikanth ducks query on cash distribution
Superstar Rajinikanth urged people to vote, saying it is the duty of all citizens to exercise their franchise. >More...
As it happened:
11.15 pm: 79.56% votes polled in Villupuram constituency.
10.42 pm: Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri record 85% and 79.16% of votes polled respectively
10.30 pm: 71.43 percentage of votes polled in Tuticorin district.
10.00 pm: 73.76 per cent votes polled in 232 constituencies across Tamil Nadu.
8.14 p.m.: Poll Final report: Thondamuthur 65.72%; Singanallur 61.89%; Mettupalayam 74.86%; Coimbatore North 61.72%; Pollachi 77.31%; Coimbatore South 61.91%; Namakkal district: 82.10%; Tirupur 72.68%; Madurai 70.38%; Valparai 72.7%; Kinathkadavu 69.42%; Perambalur 79.54%; Tirunelveli 73.15%; Thiruvallur District 71.20 %; Kanyakumari 66.31%; Nagapattinam 77%
6.22 pm: Harbour constituency posted lowest turnout — 53 per cent. >Read more
6.21 pm: Police arrested a man who attempted to damage ballot unit with a rival in a polling station in Ramnad district but polling was not disrupted.
6.20 pm: One person was arrested with Rs. 10,000 cash for trying to distribute cash to voters, says EC.
6.19 pm: 'Exit polls can be released after 6 pm today.'
6.18 pm: One polling officer died during polls. A presiding officer was changed in Madurai contituency.
6.17 pm: Polling by and large peaceful in the State, says EC
6.14 pm: Pennagaram has recorded the highest voting in the state -- 85 per cent.
6.13 pm: Actual polling percentage expected to be known by 8 pm, says Mr. Lakhoni.
6.11 pm: TN EC chief Rajesh Lakhoni addresses the press. Chennai has recorded lowest polling.
Overall turnout in Tamil Nadu till 5 p.m. 69.19 per cent.
6.00 p.m.: Voting ends in 232 constituencies. Those who reached the queue by 6 p.m. were issued tokens to cast their votes.
5.49 p.m. : Turnout till 5 p.m.: Coimbatore district: Mettupalayam 73 pc, Sulur 74 pc, Coimbatore South 58.94 pc, Valparai 69.80 pc, Thondamuthur 57.93 pc.; Coimbatore north 57 pc; Singanallur 59.80 pc.
Madurai district voter turnout till 5 p.m. 67.68 p.c.; Tiruppur district 69.17; Tirunelveli district 67.86; Namakkal district 77.63 per cent;
5.30 p.m.: Turnout till 5 p.m.: Perambulur district 76.81 p.c.
5.25 p.m. : Turnout till 4 p.m.: Kanyakumari 55 p.c.
5.24 p.m.: Turnout till 5 p.m.: Vasudevanallur 68 pc; Sankarankoil 68.3 pc; Tirunelveli 65.3 pc; Ambasamudram 65.56 pc; Palayamkottai 59.1 pc.
Polling percentage till 4 p.m. in Tuticorin 64.23 pc
Turnout till 5 pm: Cuddalore 74.23 pc; Nilakottai 73 pc, Athoor 82 pc
5.15 p.m.: A Poll official, Vasundara Devi, was shifted after the voter's (visually challenged) assistant claimed that the lady official had pressed DMK's symbol instead of AIADMK. As polling agents objected, the official was moved out.
5.06 p.m.: Voter turnout till 3 p.m. in Tuticorin district is 59.58 per cent.
5.05 p.m.: Nepal Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhya Prasad Yadav on Monday had a first hand look at the special arrangements made for conduct of Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. A team of officials led by Mr. Yadav visited the Secretariat and inspected the steps taken for smooth conduct of the polls, official sources said
4.39 p.m. : Governagiri voters withdrew from boycotting polls after electoral officers in Ottapidaram constituency held talks with them.
(Thoda tribals show their inked fingers after voting in Ooty on Monday. Photo: PTI)
4.32 p.m. : Turnout till 4 p.m. at Jayamkondan 75 p.c.
4.30 pm.: Turnout till 4 p.m. at Ariyalur district 78 per cent.
Chennai weather gets better at the right day !
— Dhaya Alagiri (@dhayaalagiri) >May 16, 2016
4.29 p.m.: Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan cast his vote at a booth in Duthie Girls Higher Secondary School in Nagercoil constituency. Sea of first time voters could be seen standing in queue or returning after exercising their democratic duty for the first time in several booths across the district. > Read more
4.25 p.m.: Turnout till 4 p.m.: Nilakottai 65 pc and Athor 79 per cent
4.22 p.m.: Polling percentage till 3.30 p.m.: Theni district 68.19 per cent
4.22 p.m. : Namakkal district 70 per cent till 4 pm.
4.21 p.m.: Polling percentage till 3 p.m.: Virudhunagar district 62.09 per cent
4.20 p.m.: Polling percentage till 3 p.m.: 74.14 percent in Karur district
4.17 p.m. :The Election Commission is yet to decide on extension of voting time as requested by the major parties, says TN CEO Rajesh Lakhoni. He also added that polling is largely peaceful barring small incidents. Lakhoni said the southern districts recorded higher turnout. Relatively lower turnout in some places in Chennai, says CEO.
4.14 p.m.: Polling percentage till 3 p.m.: Srivaikuntam -60 pc, Dharmapuri 75 pc; Krishnagiri 61.17 pc
4.09 p.m. : Latest polling percentage in Tuticorin district: Vilathikulam -65 pc, Tiruchendur -59.7 pc, Ottapidaram -59 pc, Kovilpatti -57 pc, Tuticorin -58.17 pc
4.03 p.m.: Polling percentage till 3 p.m. at The Nilgiris 58.28 per cent.
4.00 p.m.: Polling percentage till 3 p.m. at Theni district: 63.79 per cent
3.58 p.m. : Our Correspondent Scott reports Ramnad district registered 52.25 per cent and Sivaganga dist 54 per cent till 3 pm
3.57 p.m.: Polling percentage in Tiruchi district till 3 p.m. is 58.90 per cent.
3.55 p.m.: Over polling percentage in Tamil Nadu till 3 p.m. is 63.7 per cent, says Joint Chief Electoral Officer Ajay Yadav
3.52 p.m.: A 54-year old polling officer died of a massive heart attack in a booth in Kangeyam Assembly constituency while two elderly voters in Madurai and Sivaganga collapsed and died near polling booths in Tamil Nadu on Monday, police said. Read more
3.51 p.m.: Polling percentage till 3 p.m.: Kanyakumari district 41 p.c.
3.50 p.m.: Polling percentage till 3 p.m.: 56.09% in Coimbatore
3.49 p.m.: Polling percentage till 3 p.m: Tirunelveli -55 p.c., Sankarankoil 61.3 p.c., Vasudevanallur 61.3 p.c., Kadayanallur 59 p.c., Alangulam 58.96 p.c. Radhapuram 59.5 p.c., Palayamkottai 56.2 p.c., Ambasamudram 61.2 p.c., Nanguneri 57.2 p.c., Tenkasi 64.27 p.c. Tirunelveli district overall: 59.57 p.c.
3.46 p.m.: Polling percentage till 3 pm: Alandur 54 pc, Pallavaram 55 pc, Tambaram 55 pc
3.43 p.m.: Polling percentage till 3 p.m.: Perambalur district: 68.25 per cent.
3.42 p.m. : Polling percentage till 3 p.m.: Tiruppur 59.57 per cent.
3.42 p.m.: Polling percentage till 3 p.m.: : Madurai 61.52 per cent
3.40 p.m.: Poll percentage till 3 p.m. at Dindigul district: Palani 58.98%, Oddanchatram-64.18%, Athoor-70.25%, Nilakottai-63.43%, Natham-56.01%, Dindigul-63.40%, Vedachandur-54.38%.
3.39 p.m. : Polling percentage till 3 p.m. Cumbum 58 per cent in Theni district; Dindigul district average 61.51 per cent. 68.82 per cent polling in Perambalur district till 3 pm
3.24 p.m.: Polling official at a booth near Kangeyam died of cardiac arrest
3.20 p.m.: Poll percentage in Ariyalur till 3 p.m. 72 p.c. Poll percentage in Jayamkondan till 3 p.m. 68 p.c.
3.14 pm: Polling stopped for 45 minutes owing to shortage of indelible ink at Sriramapuram in Athoor constituency.
3.13 pm: Erratic power supply affects polling in Upper Kodaikanal as voters struggle to see symbols in dark rooms. Power cut was frequent.
3.10 p.m.: TN CEO Rajesh Lokhani dismissed as incorrect charges that an attempt had been made to capture a booth at Maduravayoal in Chennai.
3.06 p.m.: Election authorities in Tamil Nadu have made a recommendation to the Election Commission to extend time to vote in rain hit regions of Tamil Nadu following representations from AIADMK, DMK and Congress. “We received representations from DMK, AIADMK and Congress parties to extend time to cast vote in rain hit regions,” Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni said in Chennai, adding, we have sent a recommendation to EC (to consider it). “However rains have started receding and after considering the situation by 3 p.m., further steps will be taken,” he said. > Read more
3.04 p.m.:Our Special Correspondent S. Sundarfrom Aruppukottai reports a 75-year-old woman, A. Guruvammal, died after she fell down on the road while returning home after voting at Gopalapuram in the town on Monday.
2.53 p.m. : Colachel AIADMK candidate K.T. Pachaimal's car seized for violation.
AIADMK seeks extension of polling hours by two hours due to rains in many parts of the State ; petitions CEO.
— AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) >May 16, 2016
2.46 p.m. : Our Correspondent Scott reports, about 500 from Easanur village in Sivaganga district stayed away from voting. The election officials are holding talks with the villagers. Voting was briefly held up at a polling station in Rambad district after a clash between DMK and AIADMK men. Police resorted to mild force and chased them away.
2.43 p.m.:Our Correspondent P.V. Srividya reports PMK chief ministerial candidate said "Response to us has been overwhelming. Most of the neutral voters favour us. We expect a huge win in this election. The inputs I've received from booths is that people have opted for the 'Mango'. We are confident of a huge victory. But the issue is of 3 hours before the closing time when malpractices may happen. I've asked my party men to vigilant. Also, rain is a dampener in some parts. We hope the EC extend the polling time."
(A BJP functionary was injured in a clash between AIADMK and BJP at St. Vincent's Highter Secondary School in Aminjikarai on Monday.)
2.25 p.m: Polling percentage till 1 p.m.: 42.1 per cent.
2.24 p.m.: Police resort to mild lathi charge to disperse two groups clashed at Karupupoovanpatti in Nilakottai. AIADMK and DMK cadres clash over transporting voters to booth at this village
Over 13000 wheelchairs deployed in TN for this election. Probably more than all India in past. >#TN100percent>pic.twitter.com/7DC13Tf0Xg
— TN Elections CEO (@TNelectionsCEO) >May 16, 2016
2.13 p.m.: Over thousand voters in governagiri of ottapidaram boycott polling, officials in talks with voters to convince them
Selvakumar,34, AIADMK cadre admitted to Royapettah GH after clash in Injambakkam. Stab injuries in face. Referred to GH reports >@zubeda_h
— Chennai Connect (@ChennaiConnect) >May 16, 2016
2.11 p.m.:Pon Vasanth reports, Dalits in Kuruvithurai village in Sholavandan constituency refuses to cast vote as polling booth is in caste Hindus dominated area. Negotiation by officials underway. The village is communally sensitive as Dalit houses were attacked few months . >Read more
2.05 p.m. : Polling percentage at 1 p.m. at Ariyalur 56 per cent and Jayamkondam 53 per cent
2.00 p.m.: Tirunelveli district poll percentage at 1 p.m. 47.39 per cent.
1.57 p.m.:V.S. Palaniappan from Coimbatore reported that mild tension prevailed in Kottaimedu, Coimbatore South Assembly constituency and police were brought as AIADMK and DMK men clashed.
Good.... :) >pic.twitter.com/XBiYjjGl6H
— Karthigaichelvan S (@karthickselvaa) >May 16, 2016
1.50 pm: Voting was disrupted at the Govt. High school, Mylapore, as the battery in one of the EVMs drained out.
1.45 pm: Namakkal district records 52.04% till 1 pm.
1.45 pm: Virudhunagar district records 45.66 % till 1 pm.
1.43 p.m. : Poll percentage in Tamil Nadu at 1 p.m. is 42.1 per cent, says Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni
1.40 p.m.: Polling status 1 p.m. Karur district average 60 per cent
Another newly wedded couple cast their votes in Neyveli in Cuddalore district... >#TN100Percent>@TNelectionsCEO>pic.twitter.com/ZNqXz7lcsV
— Karthigaichelvan S (@karthickselvaa) >May 16, 2016
1:22 pm: Our Correspondent S.P. Saravanan reports: Salem district registers 52.08 per cent polling till 1 p.m.
12:52 pm: Over 100 people protest near Vaidyanathan Bridge over quality of the indelible ink used at booth no. 32. Bodi DMK candidate S. Lakshmanan makes a similar complaint to RO.
12:28 pm: Some bad news coming from Sivaganga district. Our Correspondent D.J. Walter Scott says a portion of a ceiling at a polling station in Devipattinam has fallen and three have been injured.
12:21 pm : Polling in Kanyakumari district: Kanyakymari 29%; Nagercoil 28%; Colachel 16%; Padmanabapuram 29%; Vilavancode 28%; Killiyoor 19%
12:10 pm: Our Correspondent K. Raju reports: AIADMK and DMK workers clash in Jeyamangalm in Theni over bogus voting.
12:05 pm: News coming in that Madurai district has recorded 28.05 per cent polling till 11 a.m.
11:52 am: CEO Rajesh Lakhoni says poll per cent in Chennai looks higher than average and there are many first time voters in Chennai, Tiruchi. Arrangements are being made to ensure voting is not disrupted because of power cuts.
11:48 am: Despite rains, Madurai records more percentage of voting than the State average reported till 11 am.
11:36 am: Over 25% polling recorded in first four hours.
11:31 am: Dindigul district polling percentage at 21.59%; Polling percentage crosses 30 in the Nilgris district
Actor Kamal Haasan along with his daughter Akshara at a polling centre in Eldams Road, Chennai. Photo : S. R. Raghunathan
11:14: Voters from Karnataka stage a protest demonstration at Hosur bus stand complaining lack of adequate buses.
11:03 am : Following rains, polling hours in Cuddalore (coastal areas) Thanjavur (coastal areas) Dindigul (entire) Madurai (entire) Nagapattinam (entire) districts might be increased. We are considering; yet to take a decision. If need arises, will recommend it to Election Commission, says CEO Rajesh Lakhoni
The DMK leader M.K. Stalin, along with his family members, waiting for his turn to vote at SIET college. Photo : S. R. Raghunathan
10:49 am: Braving downpour, women police officers guard a polling booth at Anbil near Lalgudi. Photo: M. Srinath
10:45 am:
Transgender community votes >#TNVotes>@ChennaiConnect>pic.twitter.com/kyzxVqEbuD
— Zubeda Hamid (@zubeda_h) >May 16, 2016
10:40 am: Former TN Speaker Sedapatti R. Muthiah casts his vote at Avaniapuram in Madurai. He tells reporters that women turnout in large numbers suggest that they are for prohibition by the DMK.
10:35 am: Rain and EC fiat dampen the spirits of Thanjavur constituency voters. In some polling stations no proper notice on postponement.
10:30 am : "Wait for two more days for people's verdict," says Chief Minister Jayalalithaa after casting her vote.
9:50 am: Our Correspondent B. Kolappan reports: DMK leader >Stalin demands CBI inquiry into alleged money transfer. He says DMK combine is poised for a big victory.
9:42 am: 14.4 per cent polling till 9 a.m. in Tiruchi district.
9:40 am: After two hours, polling percentage is in single digit in Ramnad and Sivaganga districts.
9:37 am: Clash between AIADMK and DMK workers in seventh ward in Oddanchatram. Two DMK men are reportedly injured.
9:36 am: DMDK chief Vijayakant arrives with wife Premalatha to cast his vote.
9:30 am:
>#TNVotes BJP TN president Tamilisai Soundararajan helps a policeman who fainted at a booth in Virigambakkam >pic.twitter.com/k9wQmB62jf
— Chennai Connect (@ChennaiConnect) >May 16, 2016
9:26 am: CPI's Mahendran says people are looking for a change. "Change is coming. If not this time, surely next time."
9:23 am: 10 per cent polling recorded in Tirunelveli district till 9 a.m.
9:14 am:Polling percentage across Tamil Nadu as of 9 a.m.: 18.3
9:11 am: There are reports of election staff distributing oral rehydration salts (ORS) packs and to counter dehydration among voters in a Madhavaram polling station.
9:05 am: Good turnout in Melur constituency, Madurai despite rains. 12-15 per cent polling in most booths.
8.53 a.m.DMK chief M. Karunanidhi and M.K. Stalin (right) vote in Chennai; Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president E.V.K.S. Elangovan arrives to exercise his franchise in Erode and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram after casting his vote at his native village in Kandanur in Karaikudi constituency. Photos: M. Govarthan/ANI
8.45 a.m.: Our Correspondent Mohammad Imranullah talks about some of the new features introduced by the EC this time. Video: R. Anitha Imran
8.33 a.m.: DMK leader M.K. Stalin casts his vote, says "DMK alliance will win in all constituencies. People don't want Jayalalithaa to come back to power."
8:27 am: There are reports of technical snag in EVMs at polling stations in Tirunelveli. Faulty EVMs delay voting in 12 booths in Virudhunagar.
8.19 a.m. :
Madurai dist Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao in queue to cast his vote >#TNVotes>@Collectormdu>pic.twitter.com/CtnVV82ij9
— Madurai Connect (@MaduraiConnect) >May 16, 2016
8.15 a.m.: Any first time voters? Tweet with #TNVotes #TNElection2016 and let us know.
8.14 a.m.: The media is waiting for Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at Stella Maris college. She's expected to arrive at 10 a.m.
7.56 a.m.: We have reports coming in saying there's downpour in Manachanallur near Tiruchi. Voters wade through knee-deep water outside a panchayat school to cast their vote.
7.46 a.m.: Actor Kamal Haasan casts his vote in Alwarpet, says "I have cast my vote. Increase in voting percentage strengthens democracy."
7.42 a.m.: Large turnout despite sharp showers in Tiruchi West.
7.40 a.m. : PM Modi tweets: "Urging all voters in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry to vote in record numbers today & be a part of this festival of democracy."
7.37 a.m. :
>#TNVotes Voters queue up at a booth in Rajakilpakkam, Tambaram. Photo - >@madhavant65>pic.twitter.com/LE0LeoOzcP
— Chennai Connect (@ChennaiConnect) >May 16, 2016
7.34 a.m.: Naam Tamilar Katchi chief Seeman casts his vote in Virugambakkam.
7.28 a.m.: Reports of crowds at many polling booths coming in! To know the about the queues in your polling booth, SMS Q and the EPIC no. to 1950.
7.20 a.m.: DMK president M. Karunanidhi casts vote in Gopalapuram, says, "Our winning chances are very bright." > More...
7.13 a.m.: BJP TN president Tamilisai Soundararajan casts vote at Virugambakkam.
7.12 a.m.: Actor Rajinikanth casting his vote at the polling booth in Stella Maris college now.
Photo: M Prabhu
(Actor Ajith showing the hand with the indelible ink marked on the middle finger at a polling booth in Chennai on Monday. Photo: M. Karunakaran)
7.10 a.m.: After 3 p.m., polling percentage every half hour, says Mr. Lakhoni, who cast his vote in Arumbakkam.
7.10 a.m.: In case, you don’t have the booth slip, you could still produce any one of the 11 documents mentioned below to cast your vote.
They are: Passport, Driving license, Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by the Central/State government PSUs/Public Limited Companies, Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank Post Office, PAN Card, Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR, MNREGA Job Card, Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour, Pension document with photograph, Authenticated Photo Voter Slip issued by the election machinery and Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs.
7.03 a.m.: Actors Ajith Kumar and Shalini among the first to cast their votes in a polling station at Thiruvanmiyur.
6.54 a.m. : Weather in Chennai remains cloudy after a spell of rain in the night. Reports of a steady drizzle in Madurai and Coimbatore now.
6.30 a.m. : Over 5.79 crore voters will cast their vote in 65,616 polling stations to select representatives from 232 constituencies of the state legislative assembly. Tamil Nadu will witness a single-phase election.
6.15 a.m. : Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa and DMK president M Karunanidhi, are among over 3,800 candidates are in the fray.
6.00 a.m. : Key candidates in the fray are Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa (R.K. Nagar), DMK chief M. Karunanidhi (Thiruvarur), M.K. Stalin (Kolathur), Vijaykanth (Ulundurpet), Anbumani Ramadoss (Pennagaram), Thamizhisai Soundararajan (Virugambakkam) and Thol Thirumavalavan (Kaattumannarkoil).
