Polling across nine Assembly constituencies in Trichy district was conducted on April 23, beginning at around 7:00 AM and concluding at approximately 6:00 PM. According to official data available at 6:00 PM, the district recorded a voter turnout of 81.77%.
From early morning, large numbers of voters turned up at polling booths across the district to exercise their franchise. A total of 2,787 polling stations had been established for the election in Tiruchirappalli. District election authorities stated that this election witnessed a notably high level of voter participation compared to previous instances.
The Trichy East constituency drew particular attention, as Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay is contesting, making it a high-profile electoral contest. Among first-time voters, women, and other sections of the electorate, there has been heightened interest in the outcome, with considerable speculation over the likely winner.
Amid this backdrop, tensions were reported at certain polling booths within the Trichy East constituency. Booth agents affiliated with TVK and the AIADMK raised allegations at multiple locations that the police were acting in favor of the DMK.
At a polling station in Subramaniapuram, it was alleged that police personnel instructed AIADMK and TVK party workers to vacate the premises immediately, which reportedly led to verbal altercations. Booth agents accused the police of acting in support of the DMK.
Following the conclusion of polling at 6:00 PM, election officials began the standard procedure of sealing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at polling stations and preparing them for transport to designated storage centers.
During this process, members of TVK and AIADMK alleged that certain officials entered a polling booth, closed the doors, and engaged in bogus voting activity. These allegations triggered a commotion at the location.
Booth agents questioned why, after polling had officially ended, the EVMs were not immediately sealed and dispatched in accordance with Election Commission protocols. Instead, they alleged, officials closed the polling station doors and continued activity inside, raising suspicions of malpractice.
Protesters subsequently laid siege to the polling booth, raising slogans and accusing both the police and election officials of acting in favor of the DMK. The situation escalated, resulting in heightened tension in the area.
Senior election officials and police authorities later arrived at the scene and held discussions with the protesting parties. Following these interventions, the situation was brought under control. The EVMs were then sealed and transported to Jamal Mohamed College.
The area reportedly remained tense for over an hour before normalcy was restored.
In addition to the incident at Subramaniapuram, booth agents from TVK and AIADMK have alleged that similar attempts to influence the electoral process took place at multiple locations across Tiruchirappalli district, claiming that such actions were aimed at ensuring a DMK victory in the Trichy East constituency.
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