Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry Assembly Elections 2016: As it happened

Millions of people on Monday voted for Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.

By Satya Prakash | Last Updated: Tuesday, May 17, 2016 - 00:09

New Delhi: Millions of people on Monday voted for Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. Polling to 232 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu that will decide the fate of over 3700 candidates, including chief minister J Jayalalithaa and DMK chief M Karunanidhi, commenced today at 7 am. Though Tamil Nadu has 234 assembly seats across 32 districts, polling took place today only for 232 as the Election Commission has postponed it for May 23 in Aravakurichi and Thanjavur segments following complaints of voters being bribed. Here are the LIVE updates:

 

16 May 2016, 20:00 PM

Voting ends in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry where millions of people voted today bringing down the curtains on staggered five-state elections -- the biggest popularity test since the Lok Sabha battle.

16 May 2016, 19:45 PM

The Election Commission further says that the overall polling percentage of 81.94% recorded in Puducherry Assembly election till 5pm.

16 May 2016, 19:45 PM

Overall polling percentage of 71% recorded in Kerala Assembly election till 6pm, likely to go up: EC

16 May 2016, 19:42 PM

Overall polling percentage of 69.19% recorded in Tamil Nadu Assembly election till 5 pm, says EC.

16 May 2016, 18:46 PM

The polling percentage in Kerala -- which elects a 140-seat Assembly -- was 70.35 at 5 pm.

16 May 2016, 17:17 PM

65% voter turnout recorded in Kerala till 4 pm.

16 May 2016, 16:00 PM

Kerala records over 50 % and Tamil Nadu 63.7 % voters turnout till 3 pm.

16 May 2016, 13:39 PM

42.1 per cent voters turnout recorded till 1 pm in Tamil Nadu. Kerala records 45  per cent voting till 1 pm.

16 May 2016, 13:05 PM

Members of Chennai's transgender community cast their vote, polling underway.

16 May 2016, 12:16 PM

"Heavy rains reported at in few parts including coastal regions of Nagapattinam and Cuddalore district. Have asked district collectors over extending poll time in rain-affected districts and then we'll inform the ECI, decision to be taken after 3 pm," says Rajesh Lahoni, Chief Electoral Officer Tamil Nadu.

16 May 2016, 11:46 AM

DMK women's wing secretary and Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi casts her vote at a polling booth in Chennai.

16 May 2016, 11:45 AM

About 25.2 per cent voters' turnout in Tamil Nadu, 30 % in Kerala and 27.51 in Puducherry till 11 am.

16 May 2016, 11:42 AM

The Supreme Court refuses to entertain a plea seeking SIT probe in the money seizure matter during in Tamil Nadu, asks petitioner to approach HC.

16 May 2016, 11:15 AM

"We are concerned about large-scale use of money, particularly in Kerala and Puducherry. We have given the EC ample evidence of money being used across Kerala by Congress. Election Commission assured us that action will be taken," says Rajiv Pratap Rudy of BJP.

16 May 2016, 10:39 AM

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor casts his vote at a polling booth in Thiruvananthapuram.Shashi Tharoor

16 May 2016, 10:38 AM

S Sreesanth, the BJP candidate in Thiruvananthapuram, casts his vote at a polling booth in Kochi.S Sreesanth

16 May 2016, 10:35 AM

"Ground situation in Kerala is not in favour of BJP. We're quite confident about winning of UDF this time. BJP will not open account in the Assembly election," says CM Chandy. Oommen  Chandy after casting his vote in Kottayam. ​​Kerala CM Oommen Chandy

16 May 2016, 10:31 AM

"We have done our duty, hope the others have also done", actor Kamal Haasan Kamal Haasanafter casting his vote in Chennai

16 May 2016, 10:05 AM

"In two days, you will know as to what is the judgement of the people," says Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa after casting her vote. 
Also Read: Jayalalithaa casts her vote in Tamil Nadu polls

16 May 2016, 09:56 AM

Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalitha casts her vote at Chennai's Stella Maris College.​ Also Read: Coming two days will decide TN's fate, says CM Jayalalithaa

16 May 2016, 09:50 AM

18.3 per cent voting in Tamil Nadu till 9 am. Kerala records 13.5 per cent and 9 per cent voting in Pudhucherry in first two hours of polling. Also Read: Kerala records 12.11 percent polling till 9 AM

16 May 2016, 08:51 AM

"Everyone should vote, that is a duty," says actor Rajinikanth after casting his vote in Chennai.

16 May 2016, 08:49 AM

Kerala Governor P Sathasivam casts his vote at a polling booth in Jawahar Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram. Also Read: In a first, Kerala Governor casts his vote​Kerala Governor P Sathasivam

16 May 2016, 08:46 AM

PM’s comparison of Kerala with Somalia has hurt the pride of Malayalis. PM’ speech in Trivandrum really dented BJP’s chances in Kerala: AK Antony.

16 May 2016, 08:43 AM

"Despite the hectic campaign of the Prime Minister, BJP will not be able to open account in Kerala assembly. I am very clear that we will get more seats than we got in last elections. For the first time in Kerala's history, UDF going to come back again. We'll win Kerala Elections hands down," says Congress leader AK Antony. Congress leader AK Antony

16 May 2016, 08:37 AM

Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Gopi casts his vote at a polling booth in Thiruvananthapuram. Also Read: PM Modi's Kerala-Somalia gaffe severely dented BJP's chances, says Congress​Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Gopi casts his vote at a polling booth in Thiruvananthapuram

16 May 2016, 08:32 AM

"We will win enough number of seats, our winning prospects are bright. Money distribution is curbed to a level, but there are incidents of cash transfer through trucks. People have question in their mind if Election Commission will initiate action against them," says DMK chief after casting his vote.

 

16 May 2016, 08:29 AM

DMK chief M Karunanidhi casts his vote at a polling booth in Gopalapuram in Chennai.DMK chief M Karunanidhi casts his vote

16 May 2016, 08:24 AM

Actor Rajinikanth casts his vote in Chennai's Stella Maris College.Rajinikanth casts his vote in Chennai