Tamil actor Akshaya Hariharan has alleged that her vote was cast by another individual during the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections in 2026, describing the incident as “really shocking.” She reported that the issue became apparent when she arrived at her polling station in Adyar, Chennai, after travelling from Velachery to cast her vote. Akshaya mentioned that she did not receive her voter slip and subsequently checked online to confirm her polling booth.

Upon arrival, Akshaya waited for nearly an hour at the station before being informed that her vote had already been submitted. She stated that while her details were correctly recorded, the photograph associated with the ballot belonged to someone else.

In a video posted on social media platform X, Akshaya expressed her concerns, saying, “Hi, I am just here to say that someone else has already cast my vote. It is really shocking. My second name is Hariharan, so everything is correct on the paper, but only the photos are different.” She emphasised that adequate verification should have occurred to prevent such an incident.

Concerns Over Verification Process

Akshaya further alleged that a fingerprint had been marked against her entry, raising questions about the verification measures implemented at the polling booth. Despite the confusion, she ultimately managed to cast what she described as a tender vote, although she expressed doubts about the legitimacy of the process.

She conveyed her disappointment with the handling of the situation, noting a lack of transparency in the voting process. “I do not find it appropriate because it was just a paper, and they did not even seal it in front of me. No one had answers to my questions,” she stated, indicating her intent to file a complaint with the Returning Officer.

In light of her experience, she urged the authorities to enhance the voting procedure to prevent such issues from occurring in the future.

Actor Encourages Voter Participation

In a subsequent post on Instagram, Akshaya expressed her dissatisfaction with the voting experience. She highlighted that it “did not feel like I have really voted” since the process was not conducted using an electronic voting machine, which she believed added to the confusion.

Additionally, she called on her followers and the public to participate in the electoral process, stating, “This is the best I could do though. Please do not waste your vote. You still have time.” Her comments underscore the importance of voter engagement, particularly in light of her own troubling experience at the polls.

Akshaya Hariharan’s visibility as an actor and content creator has grown through social media and various video platforms, positioning her within a younger demographic of regional digital creators involved in acting projects. She is known for her roles in films such as Bloody Beggar (2024), Satya (2024), and Saba Nayagan (2023).

On April 23, 2026, several prominent actors, including Rajinikanth, Vijay Sethupathi, and Dhanush, were also seen at polling stations as citizens cast their votes across all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu. The elections recorded significant participation, with reports indicating an 85.15 per cent turnout in the state.

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