Voting began for 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamilnadu at 7 am. With a staggering 950 candidates vying for victory, over 6.23 crore voters are poised to cast their ballots across nearly 68,000 polling stations
* Voter turnout at 11 am was 24.37% across Tamilnadu and in North Chennai 16.37%, South Chennai-17.71% and Central Chennai-15.80% were recorded.
*Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president Vijay casts his vote at a polling booth in Neelankarai, Chennai.
*Veteran actor Sivakumar along with his sons Surya and Karthik cast their vote at a pooling booth in Hindi Prachar Sabha, T Nagar.
* Former AIADMK Minister Sellur Raju cast his vote in Madurai. Later talking to press persons, he said, ‘People want Edappadi as CM again. This LS polls will pave away for EPS’ return as CM in 2026. The misrule by the DMK has put people in trouble. They failed to safeguard the interests of the State. AIADMK will win all 39 seats’.
* Residents of Jothihalli village in Dharmapuri threatened to boycott elections and stayed away from polling booths. Since authorities have not fulfilled their demand for a railway subway, they chose not to vote. However the District Collector held discussions and convincer them that action would be taken soon. After four hours of boycott, voters thronged polling booths to vote.
* The constituencies in Tamil Nadu that recorded the lowest voting percentage (9 am): Chennai Central – 8.59% Chennai North – 9.73% Chennai South – 10.08
* TN Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin along with his wife Kiruthika Udhayanidhi arrived at SIET College in Teynampet to cast his vote . Earlier in the day, Chief Minister MK Stalin voted at the same booth.
* Naam Thamizhar Katchi convenor Seeman cast his vote at a government school in Neelangarai. Speaking to media men after casting his vote, Seeman expressed confidence that his party would do well in politics.
* Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan, who campaigned for DMK-led alliance in Lok Sabha polls, cast his vote at a polling booth in Eldams Road.
* Governor RN cast his vote at a school in Velachery. Addressing press at the venue, RN Ravi said, “This is the festival of democracy…I am immensely happy and proud to have participated in it. This mark (inked finger) is the most beautiful insignia of a citizen. I would urge all citizens, especially the first-time voters, to take part in this festival with full enthusiasm.”
* In this initial phase, polling has begun on all seats in Tamil Nadu (39), Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (2), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1), and Lakshadweep (1). Additionally, voting will occur in various constituencies across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Manipur, Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh. Simultaneously, assembly elections will be held in Arunachal Pradesh (60 seats) and Sikkim (32 seats).
* All complaints of malfunctioning of EVMs in few constituencies are immediately attended. And all arrangements are kept ready. Additional EVMs and technicians are ready. Seeing good enthusiasm especially young voters and hopefully we will have a huge voter turn-out, says Chief Electoral Officer Sathyabrata Sahoo.
* Pudhuchery N Rangaswamy came to cast his vote in a motorcycle. He drove a motorbike and reached the polling booth by 9 am.
* After casting his vote in Periyakulam in Theni, O Paneerselvam said, ‘People are with Modi. They will support Mofi and want him as PM for third-term. He spells development. After elections, AIADMK will come to me and TTV Dhinakaran. EPS will disappear ‘.
* Kanimozhi, speaking to press persons, said, INDIA alliance will win all 39 constituencies in Tamilnadu. BJP is nowhere in the fray and the fight is between DMK and AIADMK.
* Kanimozhi, DMK candidate for Tuticorin, today voted at St Ebbas School in TTK Salai. Reports say that she will be leaving to Tuticorin to supervise polling there this afternoon.
* Addressing media after casting her vote, BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan said, ‘Annamalai will win Kovai with a record margin. People in Kovai have always stood with BJP. This elections will prove that BJP cannot be confined to one particular area. People are ready to vote for us in both rural and urban areas.’
* Chief Minister MK Stalin along with his wife Durga Stalin exercised his franchise at a booth in Teynampet SIET College. Speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said, This election will give a huge victory for India. I have exercised my democratic duty. I urge all to come and do their duty ‘
* Several film personalities including Ilayaraja, Sivakarthikeyan, Vijay Sethupathi, Prabhu, Vettrimaran, Gautham Karthik, Sundar C and Ajith came early in the morning to cast their vote in Chennai.
* PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss said, ‘People have decided to give a change. Youngsters and women should.come out in large numbers to vote, he said. He voted at a booth in Tindivanam.
* Union Minister and Nilgiris BJP Candidate L Murugan voted in Koyambedu. Later speaking to press, he said, ‘We need to vote for development and continuation of welfare schemes at the Centre. Youngsters ae coming in large numbers to vote. We are happy’
* Actor Rajinikanth arrived early in the morning to the polling booth in Stella Maris College and cast his vote. He left the venue without speaking to media
* If DMK proves I gave money for votes in Kovai before 7 pm today, I will quit politics, said BJP State president Annamalai. After casting his vote in his native village in Karur district, Annamalai said that he fought the polls in a righteous way. Post June 4, the Dravidian style of politics will end in Tamilnadu.
* DMDK general secretary Premalatha along with son and Virudhunagar candidate Vijaya Prabhakaran voted in Virugambakkam. She said, ‘There are reports of cash-for-votes in many places. This should be stopped. But I believe people will vote for a change. Youngsters will come and vote in large numbers.’
* Actor Sarathkumar long with his wife and Virudhunagar Nagar BJP candidate Radhika Sarathkumar voted at a booth in Neelangarai. Speaking to media, Sarathkumar said, ‘India wants Modi as PM for third term. We have given our best in campaign. Wait for people’s verdict’.
* Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, The 2024 Lok Sabha elections commence today! As 102 seats across 21 States and UTs go to the polls, I urge all those voting in these seats to exercise their franchise in record numbers. I particularly call upon the young and first time voters to vote in large numbers. After all, every vote counts and every voice matters
