Chennai: The Election Commission of India (ECI) will close the nomination filing process for Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026 on Monday, with 3,430 nominations received across the state so far.

Officials expect a surge in filings on the final day, with several senior leaders and high-profile candidates set to enter the fray, intensifying the Tamil Nadu election contest.

Candidate participation and gender breakdown

According to ECI data, male candidates dominate the nomination list, accounting for 2,731 entries, while women candidates have filed 698 nominations, reflecting a gradual rise in women’s participation in Tamil Nadu elections.

Notably, one nomination has been filed by a third-gender candidate from Villivakkam, marking a significant step towards inclusive electoral representation in Tamil Nadu.

Karur sees highest nominations, Madurai South lowest

Among constituencies, Karur has recorded the highest number of nominations (84 candidates), drawing attention due to the presence of key political figures, including M R Vijayabhaskar. A large number of Independent candidates have also entered the race, contributing to the unusually high count.

In contrast, Madurai South constituency has reported the lowest number of nominations, with only three candidates filing papers so far, highlighting uneven electoral activity across regions.

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Senior leaders set to file nominations

The final day is expected to witness several prominent leaders filing nominations, including Edappadi K Palaniswami, along with former Ministers K P Munusamy, S P Velumani, and Dindigul C Srinivasan.

From the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), key leaders expected to file nominations include Nainar Nagenthran, L Murugan, Tamilisai Soundararajan, and Vanathi Srinivasan.

Next steps in Tamil Nadu election process

With the Tamil Nadu nomination filing deadline ending today, the focus will shift to scrutiny of nominations and withdrawal of candidates, key stages in the election process that will finalise the list of contestants.

The developments are expected to set the stage for an intense and closely watched Tamil Nadu Assembly election 2026, with major parties gearing up for a high-voltage campaign in the coming weeks.

IANS