Tamil Nadu bypolls: AIADMK takes lead in Dharapuram, moves to second place in Madurantakam
Chennai: Counting of votes for the Madurantakam (SC) Assembly constituency by-election began at 8 am on Friday at the Integrated Social Development Training Centre in Aathur, Chengalpattu district, following polling on October 6.
As of 10 am
As counting of votes polled in the October 6 by-elections in Tamil Nadu progressed on Friday, the AIADMK gained ground, moving ahead of the DMK to secure second place in Madurantakam and taking the lead in Dharapuram after three rounds.
In neighbouring Puducherry, the ruling All India NR Congress (AINRC) maintained a steady lead over Congress and DMK candidates in the early trends.
In Tamil Nadu, initial rounds of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) counting showed the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leading in both reserved constituencies. However, the AIADMK made gains as counting progressed.
In Dharapuram, AIADMK candidate K Bhanumathi secured 8,244 votes after three rounds, pushing TVK candidate P Sathyabama to second place with 7,434 votes. DMK candidate S Sunganya trailed with 6,158 votes, according to the latest Election Commission update.
In Madurantakam, TVK candidate K Maragatham Kumaravel continued to lead, while AIADMK candidate S Kanitha Sampath moved into second place, ahead of DMK candidate I Paranthaman.
Counting in Madurantakam was briefly interrupted during the second round due to a technical glitch but resumed later.
Early trends
Early trends emerging from counting of votes on Friday for the October 6 bypolls held in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry indicated an advantage for the ruling regimes led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and N Rangasamy, respectively.
In Tamil Nadu, as the counting of votes, which commenced at 8 am progressed, the ruling TVK was steadily marching ahead of its Dravidian rival, the DMK and AIADMK.
Similarly, early trends in the Union Territory of Puducherry appeared to be advantageous for the Chief Minister N Rangasamy-led AINRC. The party leads the NDA coalition ministry.
It remains to be seen if the trends continue to be the same.
The bypolls in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are crucial not only for the incumbent TVK and AINRC regimes, but for the Opposition parties as well.
The counting centre has been placed under tight security, with officials counting postal ballots first, followed by votes recorded in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Fourteen tables have been arranged for EVM counting and two for postal ballots. The process is expected to continue over several rounds before the final result is declared.
A total of 27 candidates are contesting the by-election. The prominent candidates include K Maragatham Kumaravel of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), I Paranthaman of the DMK, S Kanitha Sampath of the AIADMK, G Janakiraman of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) and P Suganthi of the CPI(M).
The by-election was necessitated after former AIADMK MLA K Maragatham Kumaravel resigned and subsequently joined TVK, making the contest a closely watched political battle in Tamil Nadu.
Madurantakam records 86.26% voter turnout
Polling took place between 7 am and 6 pm on October 6 across 285 polling stations. The constituency has 2,13,788 registered voters, with an estimated turnout of 86.26%.
The turnout was lower than the approximately 93.22% recorded during the April 2026 Assembly election. Officials said polling passed off without any major untoward incidents.
The EVMs and other election materials were transported to the Aathur counting centre after polling and secured in a strong room. The machines were sealed in the presence of election officials and representatives of the contesting candidates.
Three-tier security at counting centre
Extensive security arrangements have been put in place at the counting centre. A three-tier security system has been deployed, with Central Reserve Police Force personnel forming the first layer, State Police personnel manning the second and Chengalpattu district police providing the third.
The premises are also being monitored through 54 CCTV cameras. Entry is restricted to authorised officials, counting personnel, election observers and permitted representatives of the candidates.
Security personnel have been deployed around the centre to regulate movement and prevent unauthorised access.
Political parties and candidates are closely monitoring the counting process, with initial trends expected to emerge as successive rounds of EVM counting are completed. However, early leads may change as counting progresses, and the result will be final only after all rounds are completed and the Returning Officer formally declares the winner.
The outcome will determine who represents Madurantakam in the Tamil Nadu Assembly following the vacancy that triggered the by-election.