Tamil Nadu bypoll results: TVK leads in Madurantakam and Dharapuram as counting continues

In Madurantakam, TVK nominee K. Maragatham Kumaravel was shown as “Leading” on the ECI dashboard. Reports from early counting indicated TVK opening up a clear advantage over its rivals as rounds progressed, with one update putting TVK on 20,067 votes against the DMK’s 13,864 and the AIADMK’s 11,436 at that stage.

Earlier in the day, round-wise figures reported from the constituency had TVK in front after the first round with 3,694 votes, ahead of the DMK candidate I. Paranthaman (spelling varies in reports) on 2,708 and AIADMK candidate S. Kanitha Sampath on 2,125.

Dharapuram was more volatile. The ECI dashboard listed TVK’s Sathyabama P. as “Leading”, but early rounds reported elsewhere had the AIADMK candidate K. Banumathi ahead at points during the count, with TVK close behind. One set of early figures from the first round put the AIADMK on 2,078 votes, TVK on 1,350 and the DMK on 870.

A separate “ADMK 643” figure was also carried in one live update alongside an “AIADMK” line, an inconsistency that will need to be reconciled against the official round sheets and the final Form-20.

Both constituencies recorded high turnout when polling was held on 6 October. Madurantakam reported 86.26% turnout, while Dharapuram recorded 80.30%.

Tight security, and an EVM complaint

Security was tightened around counting venues on Friday as officials processed the EVMs and postal ballots. In Madurantakam, counting was reported to be taking place at the Integrated Social Development Training Centre in Aathur, in Chengalpattu district, with restrictions and policing around the venue. In and around Tiruppur, where Dharapuram falls, police barricading and heightened security arrangements were reported during the count.

Madurantakam also saw a complaint linked to the voting process surface on counting day. An independent candidate, Dr. G. Moorthy, alleged a malfunction in an EVM control unit at polling booth number 11 and sought access to the VVPAT machine. There was no official outcome available in the material provided, and the ECI’s public note on the results dashboard continued to stress that constituency data is being updated from counting centres and will be finalised in Form-20.

The contests are crowded on paper, even if the main fight is between the three big parties. Madurantakam had 27 candidates, including 17 independents. Dharapuram had 22 candidates. Reports also named CPM and NTK candidates in Madurantakam, and CPI and NTK candidates in Dharapuram.

Why these bypolls matter

The by-elections were triggered by the resignation of the sitting AIADMK MLAs from the two seats, K. Maragatham Kumaravel and P. Sathyabama, who later joined TVK and were re-nominated by their new party from the same constituencies. The switch has turned the bypolls into a direct test of whether the two leaders can carry their local support into a new political home, and whether the AIADMK can reclaim seats it once held.

The day’s counting also coincides with a closely watched legal development. Reports said the Madras High Court is expected to deliver judgment on Friday in cases challenging the Assembly Speaker’s acceptance of resignations of six rebel AIADMK MLAs while disqualification proceedings were pending. Two of those named in the reports are Maragatham Kumaravel and Sathyabama, now contesting as TVK candidates.

For TVK, leads in both seats would strengthen its claim that defections have not damaged its standing with voters in these pockets. For the AIADMK, a comeback in Dharapuram, even if narrow, would offer a counter-narrative after the resignations. The DMK, contesting both seats, has been in third place in the trend lines cited in the material, but bypoll counts can swing as rounds add up and postal ballots are tallied.

As of late morning, the only official characterisation available across both seats was the ECI’s “Leading” status for the TVK nominees, with the Commission repeating that final numbers will come through the statutory Form-20.

Results are expected after the full counting process is completed later on Friday.