Tamil Nadu voted for 234 constituencies in a single-phase election on April 23, 2026. Vote counting for the assembly elections will take place on May 4. In Tamil Nadu, the high-stakes battle is among MK Stalin's DMK, AIADMK-led NDA alliance, and actor-politician Vijay's TVK.
ALSO READ: Tamil Nadu Exit Polls Date and Time 2026
Tamil Nadu's contest is mainly between the DMK-led alliance and AIADMK-led front with Chief Minister MK Stalin seeking to get a second term, and Edappadi K Palaniswami aims to return to power after five years. Tamil Nadu’s political landscape has long been dominated by Dravidian parties, and this election largely continues that bipolar trend.
In the 2021 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, DMK won 133 seats, reducing the AIADMK to 66 seats. The Congress won 19 seats.
But in recent years, the DMK has appeared electorally stronger and the AIADMK has appeared to regain its footing after the demise of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. The last assembly election that AIADMK managed to win was in 2016, under Amma’s shadow, just months before her death.
The five-year chief ministerial term was shared between J. Jayalalithaa, O. Panneerselvam, and later Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who now leads the party. National parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress continue to play a secondary role alongside their Dravidian allies, with the BJP aligned with its long-time partner AIADMK, while the Congress remains in alliance with the ruling DMK.
He has made the contest even more interesting with his debut. He is contesting the polls from two seats -- Tiruchirappalli East and Perambur.
ALSO READ: Tamil Nadu Exit Polls Date and Time 2026
Tamil Nadu elections results date and time
The results of the Tamil Nadu election will come out on May 4, 2026. The counting of votes will begin from 8 am and the results are expected to come out in the later part of the afternoon or evening.Where to watch results?
You can watch Tamil Nadu election results on the official website of the Election Commission of India (ECI). You can also catch all live updates on the Economic Times and follow our live blog for all the real-time updates.Tamil Nadu battle between DMK vs AIADMK
While the DMK is contesting 164 seats and its allies are fighting it out in 70 constituencies, the AIADMK is contesting from 169 seats and its allies are contesting from 65 seats. Actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is fighting from all the constituencies.Tamil Nadu's contest is mainly between the DMK-led alliance and AIADMK-led front with Chief Minister MK Stalin seeking to get a second term, and Edappadi K Palaniswami aims to return to power after five years. Tamil Nadu’s political landscape has long been dominated by Dravidian parties, and this election largely continues that bipolar trend.
In the 2021 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, DMK won 133 seats, reducing the AIADMK to 66 seats. The Congress won 19 seats.
But in recent years, the DMK has appeared electorally stronger and the AIADMK has appeared to regain its footing after the demise of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. The last assembly election that AIADMK managed to win was in 2016, under Amma’s shadow, just months before her death.
The five-year chief ministerial term was shared between J. Jayalalithaa, O. Panneerselvam, and later Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who now leads the party. National parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress continue to play a secondary role alongside their Dravidian allies, with the BJP aligned with its long-time partner AIADMK, while the Congress remains in alliance with the ruling DMK.
The Vijay factor
Actor-politician Vijay Vijay has stepped into politics with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, attracting massive crowds at rallies and roadshows. His popularity has translated into strong on-ground mobilisation, although one such event in Karur tragically resulted in a stampede.He has made the contest even more interesting with his debut. He is contesting the polls from two seats -- Tiruchirappalli East and Perambur.
