Tamil Nadu Election: Counting to Begin on May 4 at 62 Centers

April 28, 2026

Chennai, April 28: The counting of votes for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, held on April 23, will take place on May 4 (Monday) at 62 counting centers across the state.

Election officials have announced that the counting process will commence at 8:00 AM with postal ballots. Following a 30-minute interval, the counting of votes recorded on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will begin at 8:30 AM.

Officials clarified that the final counting of EVM votes will only occur after the postal ballot counting is completed. Separate arrangements have been made at each counting center for postal ballots and EVM votes, with distinct halls and counting tables designated for each.

To ensure smooth supervision, Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) level officials have been independently appointed for both categories. Postal ballot counting will be conducted at a ratio of one table for every 500 ballots.

Out of the 360,000 officials deployed for election duty, approximately 288,000 personnel (around 80 percent) utilized their voting rights through postal ballots after registering as voters.

Additionally, personnel from the police department, regional and sector officers, and officials working in election monitoring teams were also eligible for postal voting. In total, about 336,000 election personnel cast their votes via postal ballots, while 110,000 officials voted in person at polling stations after receiving Election Duty Certificates (EDCs).

Special provisions were made for elderly voters aged 85 and above, as well as for individuals with disabilities. Under Form 12D, a total of 173,000 voters availed themselves of the postal ballot facility and voted from home.

Serving voters, including armed forces personnel, also participated in the electoral process, with approximately 18,000 votes received so far. Their postal ballots will be accepted until 8:00 AM on the counting day.

Overall, in addition to those voting at polling stations, arrangements were made to facilitate voting for an additional 637,000 voters through various special provisions.