In the lead-up to the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Edappadi K Palaniswami, the general secretary of the AIADMK, has vocally criticized the current DMK administration, labeling Chief Minister MK Stalin as a “puppet.” During a protest addressing the law and order issues in Tamil Nadu, Palaniswami asserted that the DMK government has failed to serve the public effectively over the past five years, prioritizing family interests instead.

Palaniswami raised several concerns, including the alleged sale of drugs near educational institutions and the unresolved murder cases of political figures. He stated that students are being adversely affected by the presence of illicit substances near their schools, with reports of drug consumption occurring in close proximity to educational facilities. He particularly highlighted the murder of BSP leader K Armstrong and Congress leader Jayakumar, pointing out that those responsible for these crimes have not yet been apprehended. Furthermore, he remarked that sexual harassment incidents remain a persistent issue in the state.

Upcoming Elections and Voter Demographics

The Election Commission of India announced that Tamil Nadu will hold assembly elections on April 23, with the results to be counted on May 4. The final electoral roll indicates a total electorate of 56,707,380, which includes 27,738,925 male voters, 28,960,838 female voters, and 7,617 voters identifying as third-gender. This demographic also comprises 1.251 million voters aged 18 to 19, 463,000 individuals with disabilities, and 399,000 senior citizens aged 85 and above.

Electoral rolls were revised in Tamil Nadu between October 27, 2025, and February 23, 2026, using January 1 as the benchmark for eligibility. A significant electoral battle is anticipated between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and the NDA, which is spearheaded by the AIADMK in coalition with the BJP and Pattali Makkal Katchi.

Political Landscape and New Entrants

This election will also see the entry of actor-turned-politician Vijay, who is set to debut with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The assembly elections for the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly were last conducted on April 6, 2021. In that election, a voter turnout of 73.63% was recorded, with the Secular Progressive Alliance winning 159 seats, including 133 for the DMK. This marked the first time in 25 years that the DMK secured an absolute majority. In contrast, the NDA achieved 75 seats, with the AIADMK obtaining 66 seats.

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