Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MK Stalin on Thursday urged people to cast their votes and fulfill their democratic duty.
Stalin was accompanied by his wife Durga, son and Deputy Prime Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin after exercising his privilege.
“Vote without fail for the development of Tamil Nadu. I have cast my vote in the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections. People of Tamil Nadu, fulfill your democratic duty without fail,” Stalin said.
“What you will give today is not a vote; it is a shield that you use to protect Tamil Nadu. It is your vote alone that will determine the future of every person in Tamil Nadu.”
He stressed that every vote protects the highest values of the Constitution.
“Tamil Nadu will vote. Tamil Nadu will win. Together we will win!!” He added.
Read also: Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live: 56.81% people have cast their votes by 1pm; More than 28,000 security personnel are on the ground
CM Stalin and his family, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, superstar Rajinikanth, actor-politician Kamal Haasan, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor Vijay were among the early voters.
As many as 4,023 candidates are competing in the elections, including 443 women. Karur constituency has the highest number of contestants with 79 contestants. Sholinganallur constituency has the highest number of voters (5,36,991) and Harbor the least (1,16,896).
The contest is primarily between the ruling secular Progressive Alliance led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contesting 27 of the 234 seats as part of the NDA. TVK hopes to emerge as a third force in the state.
Stalin is contesting from Kolattur (Chennai) where he hopes to return to power. His son and deputy Udhayanidhi are in the poll battle from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni. Palaniswami is contesting from Edappadi in Salem district, Vijay from Perambur (Chennai), East Tiruchirappalli, and former chief minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) from Bodinayakannur.
The results of the state House of Representatives elections are scheduled to be announced on May 4.
