Chennai, May 4: The early trends from the counting of votes for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026 reveal an intriguing scenario. Initial indications from the postal ballot counting show the DMK taking the lead, while actor-politician Vijay’s TVK has also made a strong start, hinting at a shift in political dynamics.
According to the early trends from postal votes, the DMK is leading in 33 seats, while the AIADMK is ahead in 10 seats, and TVK is leading in 8 seats. Although these figures do not represent final results, they do provide a glimpse into voter trends. The counting of EVMs is rapidly ongoing at 62 centers across the state, which will clarify the situation further.
Some key constituencies are witnessing intense competition. In the Tiruchirappalli West seat, the TVK candidate has taken the lead over senior DMK leader K.N. Nehru, signaling a challenge for prominent leaders.
In Coimbatore South, DMK’s V. Senthilbalaji is currently ahead, while the TVK candidate is providing stiff competition. Meanwhile, in Gobichettipalayam, veteran leader K.A. Sengottaiyan, who recently switched from AIADMK to TVK, is also leading, indicating the new party’s growing strength.
This election has also seen notable participation from women. A record 443 female candidates are contesting this time, reflecting a growing trend in representation. However, history shows that despite participation, the success rate has been low.
In 1991, 32 out of 102 female candidates were elected, marking the highest figure to date, but this number dropped to just 9 in 1996. In the 2021 elections, only 12 out of 413 female candidates won, which is about 5% of the total 234-member assembly.
This time, nearly 46% of female candidates are contesting from urban areas, such as Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, and Tiruchirappalli. This trend is attributed to better education and access to electoral resources in cities. While women’s participation has increased in rural areas, it still lags behind urban regions. Most rural female candidates are either backed by major parties or are influential local figures.
Pre-election surveys had predicted a return to power for the DMK. Most exit polls suggested that the ruling coalition could secure between 125 to 160 seats. Some surveys also forecasted the rise of TVK, estimating it could win between 98 to 120 seats. All eyes are now on the final results to see what picture emerges.
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V.K.U./P.M.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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