PM Modi, Amit Shah urge record turnout as brisk polling underway in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday called upon voters in Tamil Nadu to participate enthusiastically in the ongoing Assembly elections, with a special appeal to youth and women to ensure a record turnout.

Taking to the social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi described voting as a “sacred duty of democracy” and urged citizens across the state to exercise their franchise in large numbers.

“As Tamil Nadu votes in the Assembly elections, I call upon all voters to take part enthusiastically in this sacred duty. I urge the youth and the women of Tamil Nadu in particular to come out and vote in record numbers,” he said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to voters to turn out in large numbers and choose a government that reflects their aspirations.

“As Tamil Nadu goes to vote, I appeal to our sisters and brothers to participate enthusiastically. I urge all of you to elect a government that works towards the fulfilment of your aspirations, not one that works for the ambitions of its own family,” he said in his message.

Meanwhile, polling began on a brisk note across eight Assembly constituencies in Erode district, with authorities reporting smooth and orderly voting in the early hours.

District Election Officer and Collector S. Kandasamy said polling was underway in all constituencies without any major disruptions.

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote at a polling station in Sampath Nagar, Kandasamy said that mock polls had been successfully conducted at all booths in the presence of candidates’ agents prior to the commencement of voting, ensuring transparency in the process.

In a first for the district, web-streaming facilities have been introduced at all polling stations, enabling real-time monitoring of activities both inside and outside booths.

Officials at the District Election Office, Returning Officers’ offices, and the Chief Electoral Officer’s office are able to track developments live.

Additionally, the Election Commission has deployed a dedicated mobile application to monitor voter turnout, with updates being released every two hours to the media and the public. Elaborate security arrangements have also been put in place to ensure free and fair polling, Kandasamy added, expressing satisfaction at being among the first voters in the district.

IANS