Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections: Campaign Ends Ahead of Voting

As the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections draw near, the campaign has officially ended, ushering in a crucial silence period before voting on April 23. Key political figures, including Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, have made their final appeals to voters. With heightened security in sensitive areas and a focus on issues like corruption and dynastic politics, the electoral landscape is charged with anticipation. The involvement of new parties, including actor Vijay's Tamilga Vetri Kazhagam, adds an intriguing twist to the contest. Stay tuned for the results on May 4.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 21, 2026, 20:03 IST

Campaign Concludes as Silence Period Begins

The vigorous campaign for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections came to a close on Tuesday at 6 PM, marking the start of the mandatory 48-hour silence period before the polls on April 23. During this time, political parties and candidates are prohibited from holding public gatherings, parades, or releasing election-related advertisements. An official confirmed that the model code of conduct, which was implemented with the announcement of the elections, will remain in effect until the electoral process is completed.

Voting and Counting Dates Announced

Voting is scheduled for April 23, with the counting of votes set for May 4, when the results will be declared. Security measures have been heightened in sensitive constituencies across the state. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin concluded his campaign by engaging with voters in the Kolathur constituency, where he is contesting. In a post on the social media platform X, he referred to himself as a "threat" to those he believes betray Tamil Nadu or hinder its development. He also accused the central government of attempting to penalize high-performing states like Tamil Nadu through the delimitation process.

DMK and AIADMK Leaders Rally Support

Speaking in Thoothukudi, DMK's Deputy General Secretary and MP Kanimozhi expressed confidence that the party would retain power. On the opposition side, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who is leading the NDA's campaign in the state, concluded his tour of western Tamil Nadu by urging voters to oust the corrupt rule of the DMK and put an end to dynastic politics.

High-Profile Participation in Campaign

The campaign saw significant participation from national and regional leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who held rallies and roadshows across the state in support of their respective alliances. While issues such as development, allegations of corruption, and dynastic politics dominated the month-long campaign, the proposed delimitation process emerged as a major point of contention between the two leading coalitions.

Electoral Dynamics and New Entrants

The electoral battle is primarily between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance. The DMK is contesting 164 seats, while its allies are running in 70. Meanwhile, the AIADMK is fielding candidates in 169 constituencies, with its partners contesting 65. A new dimension has been added to this election with the entry of actor Vijay's newly formed party, 'Tamilga Vetri Kazhagam', which is contesting in all 234 constituencies. Actor-politician Kamal Haasan, leader of 'Makkal Needhi Maiam', is also actively campaigning, including against Vijay, who is contesting from Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East.