Ravichandran Ashwin Votes in Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin participated in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, casting his vote at a local school in Chennai. Accompanied by his wife, he expressed the significance of the election for the state's future. The polling process saw participation from various celebrities, including actors Ajith Kumar and Rajnikanth. With over 5.73 crore voters registered, the elections are crucial for the political landscape, featuring a contest between major alliances. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, promising a high-stakes outcome.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 23, 2026, 11:39 IST

Ashwin Participates in Voting

On Thursday, former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin exercised his voting rights at the West Mambalam Sitaraman Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai, where the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections are taking place. He was joined by his wife, Prithi Narayanan. Ashwin patiently waited in line, displayed his inked finger after voting, and took selfies with fans.

Ashwin's Remarks on the Election

After casting his vote, Ashwin expressed, "This election is crucial for Tamil Nadu. I wanted to fulfill my duty as a citizen. I've done my part, and now it's time for everyone else to do theirs. I hope the new government will bring positive changes to Tamil Nadu."

Notable Figures Join the Voting Process

As polling continues across Tamil Nadu, many notable figures are participating in this democratic exercise. Earlier in the day, actor Ajith Kumar and superstar Rajnikanth voted at their designated polling stations. Additionally, Kamal Haasan, the leader of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), along with his daughter Shruti Haasan, also cast their votes.

Election Details and Voter Statistics

Voting for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections commenced at 7:00 AM under strict security measures and will conclude at 6:00 PM today. The counting of votes is set for May 4.

According to Tamil Nadu's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Archana Patnaik, the electorate consists of over 5.73 crore voters, including 2,93,04,905 female voters, 2,80,30,658 male voters, and 7,728 voters from the third gender. The election commission is also accommodating 14,59,039 first-time voters and 68,501 service voters, with 4,18,541 postal votes already submitted.

To facilitate a smooth counting process, 62 counting centers have been established.

The Political Landscape

The primary competition is anticipated between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which includes Congress, DMDK, and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance led by AIADMK, with BJP and PMK as partners.

The DMK is promoting its Dravidian 2.0 model, while the AIADMK-led NDA aims for a return to power. Additionally, actor-turned-politician Vijay is making his electoral debut with his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), potentially transforming the contest into a three-way race.