Post-SIR electorate drop drives turnout surge; votes remain steady compared to 2021 election

As of 8 p.m. on polling day, voter turnout stood at 83.41%, significantly higher than 59.75% recorded in 2021 Assembly polls, as per ECI data; this is due to reduction in electorate from 40.57 lakh in 2021 to 28.93 lakh in 2026; number of electors who turned up in both elections remains close to 24 lakh

The reduction in the size of the electorate, following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll, compared to the 2021 Assembly election, played a crucial role in the increase in voter turnout across all 16 Assembly segments in Chennai district on Thursday.