Tamil Nadu Elections 2026: TVK Chief Vijay Urges CEC To Extend Polling Till 8 pm

The article reports Vijay's appeal to extend polling hours to 8 pm and boost public transport in Tamil Nadu due to travel disruptions during the 2026 Assembly elections. It includes turnout data, constituency details, and implications for voter access and democratic participation.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief Vijay has urged the Election Commission of India to extend polling hours and deploy extra public transport, after voters in Chennai and other Tamil Nadu cities reportedly struggled to reach booths during the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Vijay asked that voting in affected constituencies continue till 8:00 pm, arguing that travel disruption and slow polling could prevent many citizens from exercising their franchise during the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Tamil Nadu Assembly elections turnout and key constituencies

Polling for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections started under tight security, with the Election Commission supervising the process as in other large states such as Uttar Pradesh. By 9:00 am, Tamil Nadu recorded 17.69 per cent voter turnout, indicating steady participation despite transport complaints.

Early data showed Tiruppur district leading with 20.38 per cent voting, while Erode registered 19.55 per cent and Chennai 16.51 per cent during the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Officials are monitoring trends as the day progresses, ahead of counting scheduled for May 4.

Vijay’s candidacy in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections

Vijay cast a vote at the Neelankarai polling booth before raising concerns with the Election Commission about arrangements during the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Actor-turned-politician Vijay is contesting from Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East, two high-profile constituencies with strong Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam presence.

In Perambur, Vijay faces DMK candidate RD Shekar, who earlier secured victory by 54,976 votes over NR Dhanapalan of AIADMK. In Tiruchirappalli East, Vijay is taking on sitting DMK MLA Inigo Irudayaraj S, who won the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections with a margin of 53,797 votes.

Transport concerns during Tamil Nadu Assembly elections

Vijay alleged that inadequate public transport planning has harmed voters’ rights during the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Vijay said buses were taken for election duty without alternatives for ordinary commuters, leaving many stranded at major terminals and risking lower turnout in several urban centres.

He wrote, "I am writing to you in a state of deep concern and indignation over the complete transport paralysis. Thousands of voters are stranded at bus terminals in Chennai, and similarly in other metro cities across Tamil Nadu, with no buses or alternative public transport available to reach their designated polling booths. This is not a minor inconvenience-it seems an intentional attempt at misplanning by the State Transport corporation and administration, which is an outright assault on the fundamental right to vote guaranteed under the Constitution of India."

Describing the situation at bus hubs, Vijay said, "The scenes at Chennai's Koyambedu, Kilambakkam, and Madhavaram bus stands, and equivalent terminals elsewhere, are unacceptable on election day. Thousands of citizens who have travelled from all over the world and from various states and from within the cities of Tamil Nadu, or are attempting to travel to exercise their franchise, have been left helpless due to the heavy requisitioning of buses and vehicles for poll duty without parallel arrangements for ordinary voters. This systemic failure has the potential to effectively disenfranchise a large section of the electorate, striking at the very heart of free and fair elections that the Election Commission is constitutionally mandated to conduct under Article 324," he wrote.

Demands to Election Commission for Tamil Nadu Assembly elections

Calling for urgent steps, Vijay asked the Election Commission to restore transport access so that Tamil Nadu Assembly elections voters can reach booths. Vijay said buses and shuttles should be deployed quickly, with clear announcements through media and official apps to guide stranded passengers.

Vijay requested, "direct the state transport authorities and district election officers in Chennai and all affected cities to immediately press additional government buses, shuttles, and other vehicles into service exclusively for ferrying stranded voters from bus terminals to polling stations. This must be done within the next few hours through coordinated announcements at terminals, via media, and through the ECT's own apps and helplines. No voter should be turned away or forced to miss their democratic duty due to administrative negligence."

Raising concerns about the pace of voting, Vijay mentioned long queues at several booths during the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and suggested closer on-ground supervision. "There are reports from the polling stations of voters waiting in long queues to cast their votes, but the polling process is slow. Such delays would discourage and may affect voter turnout. There should be a designated supervisory officer to visit polling booths regularly and ensure that the voting process is conducted efficiently and without unnecessary delays," he urged.

Vijay then sought more time for voters who reached late due to travel issues during the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Demanding an extension, Vijay said, "In view of the large surge of delayed voters due to travel disruptions, and long-queue waiting imperatives, polling must be extended till 8:00 pm across all affected constituencies. This extension is well within the Commission's powers and has been exercised in the past for far lesser disruptions. It is essential to allow every voter who reaches the polling station premises by the revised closing time to cast their vote without compromise"

Highlighting the wider democratic stakes, Vijay reminded the Election Commission that "The right to vote is the bedrock of Indian democracy. Any failure to act swiftly today on the above aspects immediately will not only suppress voter turnout but will erode public faith in the electoral process itself. The Election Commission cannot remain a mute spectator while thousands are denied their constitutional right on polling day," the letter read, echoing concerns shared by voters across India, including electorates in states such as Uttar Pradesh that place strong value on accessible, peaceful polling.

With Inputs from ANI