Youth Enthusiasm Fails to Pump up Voting Percentage in Madurantakam
Usually, more people vote in the by-polls than general elections since cash and gifts will rain on voters
CHENNAI: Despite a large number of youths coming to the polling booths with enthusiasm, the polling percentage in the constituency, which was 93.22 per cent in the Assembly elections on April 23, declined to 85.99 per cent. The polling went off smoothly and no untoward incidents were reported from any part of the constituency.
Usually, more people vote in the by-polls than general elections since cash and gifts will rain on voters. There were no reports of cash or gift distribution in Madurantakam by-poll since most of the candidates who indulged in such practices and spent a large amount of money lost in the 2026 Assembly elections.
While the general elections decide the party which captures power in the state, people do not expect the by-poll to bring any change of regime.
Polling started at 7 am with men and women queuing up early in most polling booths. A large number of young voters turned up for voting and they came out of the booths happily to take selfies showing their finger with the indelible ink.
Except Naam Thamizhar Katchi (NTK) candidate G. Janakiraman, none of the other contestants of other parties like the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), DMK, AIADMK and CPI-M had votes in the constituency.
At 3 pm, the voting percentage was only 70.31 per cent, which is less than the 72.41 per cent polled at the same time in the 2026 Assembly elections. At 5 pm, the polling percentage at Madurantakam was 83.86 per cent and this is less than the 87.84 per cent recorded at the same time in the 2026 Assembly elections.
A total of 2,700 police personnel and 480 CRPF staff were involved in the security arrangements for the by-poll for which 27 candidates are in the race.
The electronic voting machines were sealed and sent to the counting centre for counting on October 9.