EC releases final poll data: 4.88 crore voters cast ballots in Tamil Nadu

After a delay of nine days, the Election Commission (EC) has released the final voter turnout data for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections held on April 23, revealing a record participation of electors in the state’s electoral history.

According to the report, out of a registered electorate of 5.73 crore, a total of 4,87,98,833 voters exercised their franchise, taking the overall turnout to 85.1 per cent. This marks a significant rise from the 73.63 per cent recorded in the 2021 Assembly elections, making it the highest voter turnout ever recorded in Tamil Nadu.

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In the 2016 elections, 4,32,34,665 voters participated out of 5,77,91,397 electors, with the state recording a polling percentage of 74.81 per cent. In the 2011 Assembly polls, 3,68,86,226 voters cast their ballots from a total electorate of 4,71,15,846, registering a turnout of 78.29 per cent.

The poll panel had earlier faced criticism from major political parties, including the DMK and AIADMK, over the delay in releasing the absolute voter turnout figures.

Women voters outnumber men

The EC attributed the surge, in part, to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which resulted in the deletion of around 57 lakh names. This reduced the total electorate from 6.29 crore to 5.73 crore ahead of the polls.

Gender-wise data showed that women voters once again outnumbered men at the polls. Over 2.52 crore women cast their votes compared to more than 2.35 crore men, with women outvoting men by approximately 17.25 lakh. This trend has been consistently observed in the state since 2011.

Among third gender voters, 4,517 of the 7,728 registered electors participated in the polling process, with Sulur constituency reporting the highest number of transgender voters at 77.

Multi-layer security for counting

Meanwhile, preparations for counting of votes, scheduled for May 4, are in full swing. The EC has set up 62 counting centres across the state, with 234 halls designated for EVM counting and 240 halls for postal ballots. A total of 10,545 counting personnel and 4,624 micro-observers will oversee the process.

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A three-tier security arrangement has also been put in place for the counting day, involving 65 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) along with state and local police personnel.

Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik said counting will begin at 8.00 am with postal ballots, followed by EVM counting at 8.30 am. “Round-wise results of all Assembly constituencies will be announced by the concerned Returning Officer (RO) using the public address system at the respective centre, and the same will be reflected in the ECINET app.”