Tamil Nadu By-Election 2026: Madurantakam & Dharapuram Polling
Tamil Nadu By-Election 2026: Voters in two reserved Assembly constituencies—Madurantakam (SC) and Dharapuram (SC)—will cast their votes on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Polling is scheduled from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Counting of votes is scheduled for October 9, 2026.
This guide brings together the key polling-day information in one place, including the constituencies, polling time, number of candidates, voting restrictions and what voters should know before going to the polling station.
For related Tamil Nadu opportunities, see the Tamil Nadu Jobs page, Tamil Nadu Government Jobs 2027-28, Tamil Nadu Police Jobs 2027-28, and Tamil Nadu PSC Recruitment 2027-28.
Tamil Nadu By-Election 2026: Constituencies Going to Poll
| Constituency | Constituency No. | Reservation | Polling Date | Polling Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madurantakam | 35 | SC | October 6, 2026 | 7:00 AM–6:00 PM |
| Dharapuram | 101 | SC | October 6, 2026 | 7:00 AM–6:00 PM |
Madurantakam By-Election 2026
Madurantakam is a Scheduled Caste-reserved Assembly constituency in Chengalpattu district. The by-election follows the vacancy created after the resignation of the sitting MLA. The final field has 27 candidates, according to reports based on Election Commission information.
Dharapuram By-Election 2026
Dharapuram is a Scheduled Caste-reserved Assembly constituency in Tiruppur district. The final field has 22 candidates. The two constituencies together therefore have 49 candidates in the October 6 bypolls.
Polling Time on October 6
Voting in both constituencies is scheduled from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Voters should check their electoral-roll and polling-station details before leaving home and follow the instructions of polling officials at the booth.
Important Election Restrictions
The Election Commission has imposed restrictions on opinion-poll and exit-poll publication around polling. Exit-poll results are prohibited from being conducted, published or publicised during the notified period on October 6, while election-related opinion-poll material is also subject to the statutory 48-hour restriction before the close of polling. official Tamil Nadu Gazette election notification
CareerSphere will therefore publish factual polling and official-information updates rather than election predictions or exit-poll claims.
When Will Tamil Nadu By-Election Results 2026 Be Declared?
Counting for the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly by-elections is scheduled for October 9, 2026. Results should be followed through official election authorities and verified result updates after counting begins. official election schedule
Madurantakam and Dharapuram By-Election: Quick Facts
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Election | Assembly By-Election 2026 |
| Constituencies | Madurantakam (SC), Dharapuram (SC) |
| Polling date | October 6, 2026 |
| Polling time | 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Candidates | 27 in Madurantakam; 22 in Dharapuram |
| Counting date | October 9, 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Tamil Nadu by-election?
The Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly by-elections are scheduled for October 6, 2026.
What time does polling start in Madurantakam and Dharapuram?
Polling is scheduled to start at 7:00 AM and continue until 6:00 PM.
When will the by-election votes be counted?
Counting is scheduled for October 9, 2026.
How many candidates are contesting?
There are 27 candidates in Madurantakam and 22 in Dharapuram, making 49 candidates across the two constituencies.
Can CareerSphere publish exit-poll predictions during polling?
CareerSphere will follow the Election Commission’s restrictions and will not publish prohibited exit-poll or opinion-poll material during the restricted period.
Who Is Contesting the Tamil Nadu By-Elections 2026?
The two constituencies are reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates. The final contest includes candidates from the major political parties as well as independents and smaller parties. The official Madurantakam election page lists 27 contesting candidates. Published candidate-affidavit data and election reports identify the principal party candidates in the two constituencies as follows.
Madurantakam (SC) – Major Party Candidates
| Candidate | Party |
|---|---|
| S. Kanitha Sampath | AIADMK |
| I. Paranthamen | DMK |
| K. Maragatham Kumaravel | TVK |
| P. Suganthi | CPI(M) |
| G. Janakiraman | Naam Tamilar Katchi |
The Chengalpattu district administration’s election page also lists candidates from smaller parties and independents, including the final expenditure records for the contest.
Dharapuram (SC) – Major Party Candidates
| Candidate | Party |
|---|---|
| K. Banumathi | AIADMK |
| S. Suganya | DMK |
| P. Sathyabama | TVK |
| M. Karthika | Naam Tamilar Katchi |
| P. Lakshmanan | CPI |
The Dharapuram contest also includes independent and smaller-party candidates. Candidate-affidavit information published by ADR’s MyNeta database identifies P. Lakshmanan as the CPI candidate and records the candidate information submitted to the Election Commission.
Why Did These Two Seats Become Vacant?
The Election Commission announced the by-elections to fill vacancies caused by the resignations of Maragatham Kumaravel in Madurantakam and P. Sathyabama in Dharapuram. Both had been elected on AIADMK tickets in the 2026 Assembly election and subsequently moved to TVK.
Important Voter ID Rules for October 6
Voters whose names are on the electoral roll should carry their EPIC (Voter ID) card for identification. The Election Commission has also approved 12 alternative photo identity documents for electors who cannot produce their EPIC.
- Aadhaar Card
- MGNREGA Job Card
- Bank or Post Office passbook with photograph
- Health Insurance Smart Card issued by the Ministry of Labour / Ayushman Bharat Card
- Driving Licence
- PAN Card
- Smart Card issued by the Registrar General of India under the National Population Register
- Indian Passport
- Pension document with photograph
- Service identity card with photograph issued by the Central or State Government, PSU or Public Limited Company
- Official identity card issued to an MP, MLA or MLC
- Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card
Important: Having an identity document alone is not enough. The voter’s name must be present in the electoral roll. Voter Information Slips are for information and are not identity proof. Overseas electors must produce their original Indian passport.
How to Check Your Name and Polling Station
The official Tiruppur district election page provides links to the Election Commission’s voter services for checking your name in the electoral roll and finding your polling-station location. The Madurantakam election administration also provides voter services and election helpline information.
Voter Helpline: 1950
District Election Control Room: 1800 425 0045
Polling-Day Restrictions and 48-Hour Silence Period
The 48-hour period before the close of polling has already begun. Election-related public meetings, processions and campaign activities are prohibited during the statutory silence period. District authorities have also directed political workers and other non-local campaign personnel to leave the constituencies after the campaign deadline.
On polling day, campaign-related activity around polling stations is restricted. Voters should follow the instructions of polling officials and avoid carrying or displaying campaign material inside or near the polling area.
EVM and VVPAT Voting
The Election Commission has directed that votes in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections will be recorded using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with VVPAT. The Tamil Nadu government gazette also records the ECI direction for the use of EVM and VVPAT in these two constituencies.
Election Schedule: All Important Dates
| Election Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Gazette notification | September 9, 2026 |
| Last date for nominations | September 16, 2026 |
| Scrutiny of nominations | September 17, 2026 |
| Last date for withdrawal | September 19, 2026 |
| Polling | October 6, 2026 |
| Counting | October 9, 2026 |
| Election to be completed by | October 11, 2026 |
These dates are published on the official Chengalpattu and Tiruppur district election pages.
Official Voter Services and Election Contacts
For the most accurate information, voters should use the official Election Commission voter-service links rather than relying on social-media posts or unofficial polling-station lists. The Tiruppur district election page specifically provides links for electoral-roll search, polling-station location, the Voter Service Portal, ECINET and the Voter Helpline App.
Voter Helpline: 1950
District Election Control Room: 1800 425 0045
Election-violation reporting: cVIGIL
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections?
Polling is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Which Assembly constituencies are going to the polls?
They are 35-Madurantakam (SC) in Chengalpattu district and 101-Dharapuram (SC) in Tiruppur district.
When will counting take place?
Counting of votes is scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2026.
What if I do not have my Voter ID card?
If your name is in the electoral roll, you can use one of the 12 alternative photo identity documents approved by the Election Commission, subject to the applicable identification rules.
Can I vote using a Voter Information Slip?
No. The Voter Information Slip is not an identity document. Carry your EPIC or one of the approved alternative photo identity documents.
Are exit polls allowed during polling?
The Election Commission has issued a specific notification restricting the conduct, publication and dissemination of exit-poll results during the notified period on polling day. CareerSphere will not publish prohibited exit-poll material during the restricted period.
Official Election Information
For Madurantakam, the official Chengalpattu district election page provides the poll schedule, candidate-related records, voter services and election-control-room details. For Dharapuram, the official Tiruppur district election page provides the poll schedule, voter-service links, helplines and election-related documents.
Election information can change through official orders or instructions. Readers should therefore verify polling-station details and other voter-specific information through the Election Commission or district election authorities before travelling to the polling station.
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