Tamil Nadu polls: TVK raises bogus voting allegations, flags transport crisis

Chennai: Concerns over a lack of transport facilities for voters and allegations of bogus voting marked the Tamil Nadu Assembly election process on Thursday, with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) stepping up complaints to the Election Commission authorities over both issues.

TVK General Secretaries N Anand and Aadhav Arjuna met Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik in Chennai, submitting a petition highlighting that several voters were unable to reach polling booths due to inadequate public transport arrangements.

Addressing a press conference after meeting the CEO, N Anand said, "We raised a complaint to TN CEO Archana Patnayak that many voters could not reach their destination since there was no bus facility, so we have asked her to take steps."

Alleging larger political motives behind the situation, Aadhav Arjuna claimed that voter turnout was being indirectly affected and also raised charges of electoral malpractice in certain constituencies.

He said, "Even TN CEO Archana Patnayak had requested to make a facility through the transport department. IAS MD Prabu Shankar, R Mohan, MD State Express Transport Corporation, and all the IAS officers are still taking the orders of interim CM Stalin. There are 30 to 40 thousand voters still stranded at the bus stands. Stalin fears that if a larger number of votes, he may lose."

Arjuna also alleged irregularities during polling, stating that the party had received complaints of bogus voting, particularly in Villivakkam and other constituencies.

He said, "The situation even in Villivakkam and other constituencies shows that we have received serious complaints of bogus voting... We have raised them immediately. Usually, between 3 and 6, DMK supporters are involved in bogus voting, including cases where people are not even present in the city. So we have filed a complaint..."

Arjuna is contesting from Villivakkam constituency, where he faces DMK’s Karthik Mohan and AIADMK’s Vijayakumar. He also cast his vote earlier in the day at a polling booth in Chennai.

Earlier, TVK chief Vijay had also written to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging transport paralysis and calling for urgent intervention, including an extension of polling time.

In his letter, he said, "I am writing to you in a state of deep concern and indignation over the complete transport paralysis. Thousands of voters are stranded at bus terminals in Chennai, and similarly in other metro cities across Tamil Nadu, with no buses or alternative public transport available to reach their designated polling booths. This is not a minor inconvenience-it seems an intentional attempt at misplanning by the State Transport corporation and administration, which is an outright assault on the fundamental right to vote guaranteed under the Constitution of India."

He further urged immediate deployment of transport facilities and extension of polling hours, stating,

"He requested the ECI to "direct the state transport authorities and district election officers in Chennai and all affected cities to immediately press additional government buses, shuttles, and other vehicles into service exclusively for ferrying stranded voters from bus terminals to polling stations. This must be done within the next few hours through coordinated announcements at terminals, via media, and through the ECT's own apps and helplines. No voter should be turned away or forced to miss their democratic duty due to administrative negligence."

Polling for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections began on Thursday amid tight security, with counting scheduled for May 4.