Tamil Nadu Poll Count Set for May 4: TVK's Vijay Meets Candidates and Plans Velankanni Prayer as Stalin Assures DMK Victory

TVK's Vijay Reviews Candidates Ahead of Count Day

Tamil Nadu Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) contested the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections for the first time, fielding candidates independently across the state. On May 1 — the day exit poll results were circulating — party president Vijay convened a meeting at the TVK headquarters in Panayur, Chennai.

Candidates presented their Form 17C documents — the official polling-station-level voter records required for counting-day oversight — to Vijay at the office. Vijay met candidates in batches of twenty, asking each group about their experience in the field and the ground-level situation in their respective constituencies.

Vijay advised all candidates to remain vigilant and careful during the vote-counting process on May 4. He urged everyone to wait with confidence for the results. He also told candidates: "After winning, do not go anywhere else — I will be waiting at Panayur for all of you when the results are declared."

Vijay to Visit Velankanni and Nagore Before Results

Reports emerged on May 1 that Vijay will attend a special early-morning prayer service at the Velankanni Basilica on May 2. He is also scheduled to participate in prayers at the Nagore Dargah. Vijay was reported to be staying overnight at a private luxury hotel in Velankanni ahead of the visits. This multi-faith pilgrimage on the eve of results day has drawn significant attention given the high-stakes election outcome.

TVK Administrative Committee lead coordinator Sengottaiyan, speaking to reporters in Erode, called the 2026 election victory "a historic moment that will be written into history — all of India will be amazed." He added: "People are far clearer than any exit poll. From children to first-time voters, everyone wants a change of government. Vijay will form the government as the people expect." On the question of why Vijay called candidates to the office, Sengottaiyan said it is routine for the party chief to meet winning candidates at headquarters after an election.

Stalin: 'DMK Victory on May 4 Is Assured'

At the May Day celebration held at Sinthadripettai in Chennai, Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin addressed party workers and said: "The reward for our party comrades' hard work will be received on May 4. There is not even a drop of doubt about this. I say this not based on exit polls — I say it because I have seen the ground situation myself."

In his May Day message, Stalin credited the legacy of DMK founders Anna and Kalaignar for establishing labour welfare traditions in Tamil Nadu. He highlighted welfare schemes introduced under the current DMK government, including:

• Subsidies for women and transgender auto-rickshaw drivers to purchase new vehicles
• Pensions for workers in the unorganised sector
• A new welfare board for gig and app-based workers
• E-scooter purchase subsidies for registered gig workers
• Rest facilities for gig workers between shifts

How to Follow the Results on May 4

Elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry have all concluded. Voter turnout was 85% in Tamil Nadu, 90% in Puducherry, 78% in Kerala, 85% in Assam, and 93% and 92% respectively across the two phases in West Bengal.

The Election Commission has launched a dedicated live results portal at results.cci.gov.in, which will publish real-time constituency-wise results for all five states from 8 AM on May 4. Results can also be tracked via the ECINET and Voter Helpline mobile apps.