How Tamil Nadu waited for Assembly election results over the decades

Published 20 July 2026 · politics

The wait between polling and counting of votes in election is always a nail-biting period for politicians and electors. While in the current Assembly election

The wait between polling and counting of votes in election is always a nail-biting period for politicians and electors. While in the current Assembly election period in Tamil Nadu, the gap between voting (April 23) and counting (May 4) is only 10 days, there have been instances where such waiting period lasted over 30 days. The 1967 Madras State Legislative Assembly election, a watershed moment that rewrote the State’s political destiny as the DMK dethroned the Congress, was held following a delimitation exercise. The number of constituencies was expanded from 206 to 234. The polling took place in three phases on February 15, February 18, and February 21. However, only 233 seats went for polling. Polling in Thirumangalam constituency in Madurai was cancelled due to the death of a candidate and held on April 29 that year. Counting for the main phases commenced on February 23. The 1971 Assembly election also spanned three days. Voters headed to polling booths on March 1, March 4, and March 7, while counting began on March 10. The DMK secured a massive majority and M Karunanidhi retained power. In June 1975, the Indira Gandhi Government at the Centre had promulgated the Emergency and the following January, the DMK government was dismissed. By 1977 when the state went to polls, the dynamics had shifted. After being expelled from the DMK, actor M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) had floated the ADMK (later rechristened AIADMK) in 1972. For the first time Tamil Nadu, all 234 constituencies voted on June 12, and counting concluded on June 14.

MGR captured power. Despite the success of the single-day format, the State reverted to a two-phase contest for the 1980 elections, held following the MGR government’s dismissal. On May 28, 114 Assembly segments voted while electors in 120 constituencies exercised their franchise on May 31. The results were declared on June 1 and MGR returned as Chief Minister. Breaking away from the tradition of pre-summer or summer polls established since 1967, the 1984 election was the first to be held at the year’s end. With MGR hospitalised, his Cabinet opted for an early election. Simultaneously at the Centre, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi sought a fresh mandate following the assassination of his mother and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. A total of 232 seats went to polls on December 24. Polling in Egmore (SC) and Perambur (SC – now general seat) were countermanded due to candidate deaths and eventually took place the following January 28.The results for the 232 Assembly segments were declared on December 28, in which the AIADMK secured a third consecutive victory. By 1989, the State was plunged into political turmoil. The death of MGR in 1987 resulted in his widow Janaki Ramachandran, and protege J. Jayalalitha heading AIADMK factions. Out of 234 segments, 232 voted on January 21. Polling in Marungapuri and Madurai East was deferred to March 11 due to candidate deaths. Counting for the 232 constituencies was held on January 22 and the DMK returned to power after 13 years.