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Tamil Nadu exit polls: DMK alliance projected to return to power; Stalin on track for back-to-back terms
Exit polls suggest a comfortable majority for the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu's 17th assembly elections, with projections indicating a crossing of the 118-seat threshold. TVK emerges as a potential third option, while counting is scheduled for May 4, 2026.
Why It Matters
If the exit polls hold, MK Stalin would be only the second DMK chief to win consecutive terms, marking a historic continuity for the party and impact on Tamil Nadu politics.
Timeline
4 Events
Official counting of votes scheduled
May 4, 2026
The official counting of votes for Tamil Nadu's 234 assembly seats was scheduled for May 4, 2026.
Exit polls released for Tamil Nadu vote
April 28, 2026
Exit poll projections suggested a comfortable majority for the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance. Matrize projected the alliance to win 122–132 seats with about 40.3% of the vote. People's Pulse projected 125–145 seats. Both forecasts indicate the DMK crossing the 118-seat majority mark. The AIADMK-led front was projected to win 87–100 seats by Matrize and 65–80 seats by People's Pulse. The Tamilaga Vetrikazhagam (TVK) was projected to win 10–12 seats (Matrize) or 18–24 seats (People's Pulse). If these projections hold, Chief Minister MK Stalin would become only the second DMK leader after Karunanidhi to win back-to-back terms.
Election day in Tamil Nadu
April 23, 2026
Tamil Nadu's 17th legislative assembly elections were held in a single phase across the state. Turnout reached 84.69%, the highest ever in a Tamil Nadu assembly election. A total of 4,023 candidates contested across 234 constituencies.
2021 DMK landslide or near-win background
2021
Exit polls in 2021 broadly predicted a DMK-led alliance victory. The final results saw DMK win 133 seats, AIADMK 66, and Congress 18, with a voter turnout of 76.6%.