According to various exit polls shown on TV channels, the DMK was set to regain power.
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Millions of voters in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry turned out to cast their votes on Monday, bringing down the curtains on staggered five-state elections in India. The party has won every assembly election here since 2001.
7 am: Supporters began gathering outside AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa’s residence in Chennai, while top DMK leaders visit party head Karunanidhi’s home. Counting of votes will take place on May 19.
He said he was sure the EC was aware of the issues that could be tackled by adopting the practices of the Indian EC.
The AIADMK’s victory has been attributed to the governance initiatives and welfare schemes announced by Jayalalithaa during her previous tenure.
Forecasts of the outcome were mixed ahead: while most exit polls predicted a win for the DMK, one said the AIADMK would return. Even in the seven seats allotted to alliance parties, they contested on the AIADMK’s two leaves symbol. A popular pollster claimed that in a large number of constituencies parties other than those in ADMK and DMK alliances scored more than 25% votes.
“Our party’s poll promises has reached the people well”.
Election Commission revised the voter turnout of assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, but they were less than the 2011 polls. On the other side, AIADMK Spokesperson said, “Whatever Amma promises she fulfils it as she is for the people and made by the people”. The 68 year-old Jayalalithaa, who won from city’s R K Nagar constituency, recalled that her mentor M G Ramachandran had achieved such a feat in 1984 when he won elections for a consecutive time.
Polling in two constituencies in Tamil Nadu – Aravakurichi and Thanjavur – had been postponed following complaints of large-scale distribution of money to voters by the two Dravidian parties.
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A total of 1,203 contestants, including 109 women, are in the fray.
