“Celebration tents removed from DMK headquarters as party trails, party workers break down,” reported an eyewitness as the vote counting began for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on May 4, 2026.
The latest trends show that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is leading in 112 out of 234 constituencies. This marks a significant shift in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, especially as the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is trailing with only 47 seats. Meanwhile, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) stands at 58 seats.
Voter turnout reached an impressive 85.1 percent, the highest in the state’s history, with approximately 5.73 crore registered voters participating. This surge in engagement reflects a growing interest in local governance among residents.
TVK has secured over 38 percent of the total vote share, translating to around 56.90 lakh votes. In contrast, DMK has garnered about 24 percent of the vote share, equating to roughly 35.24 lakh votes, while AIADMK follows closely with about 22 percent or around 32.52 lakh votes.
Prior to these results, many exit polls had predicted that DMK would return to power. The unexpected lead by TVK has left many surprised and has prompted discussions among political analysts about potential changes in voter sentiment.
As results continue to unfold throughout the day, both TVK and its opponents are preparing for what could be a transformative period in Tamil Nadu politics.