Chennai, May 1:
The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has instructed its candidates and party functionaries to remain on high alert during the vote counting scheduled for May 4, underscoring the need for constant vigilance in what is expected to be a closely contested election.
According to party sources, the leadership has directed cadre not to leave counting centres until the entire process is completed. The move comes amid concerns that even minor lapses could influence outcomes, particularly in a four-cornered contest where vote fragmentation is likely to play a decisive role.
Senior leaders have emphasised strict monitoring of each round of counting, especially in constituencies expected to witness tight races. The directive reflects lessons drawn from the 2021 Assembly elections, where the DMK and its allies secured several seats with razor-thin margins.
In the previous election, at least 24 constituencies were won with margins below 5,000 votes. Some victories were exceptionally narrow, including T Nagar, where the winning margin stood at just 137 votes. Other constituencies such as Tenkasi, Katpadi, Vriddhachalam and Neyveli also recorded victories decided by fewer than 1,000 votes.
Additionally, constituencies like Thiruporur, Uthiramerur, Jolarpet, Rasipuram, Dharapuram, Anthiyur and Thirumayam witnessed winning margins between 1,000 and 2,000 votes, while several others—including Velachery, Cheyyur, Tiruchengodu, Udhagamandalam, Coonoor, Tirupur (South), Ariyalur, Panruti, Mayiladuthurai, Poompuhar, Rajapalayam and Vasudevanallur—were won with margins ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 votes.
With the 2026 Assembly election shaping up as a multi-cornered contest, party insiders believe that vote shares could be significantly split among key players, increasing the likelihood of closely fought outcomes across the State.
Against this backdrop, the DMK leadership has stressed the importance of round-the-clock vigilance at counting centres, warning that even the smallest oversight could prove decisive in determining victory or defeat in several constituencies.