Chennai: Polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections is scheduled to take place today, April 23, 2026, from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. In the general elections—often hailed as the festival of democracy—it is crucial for every voter to cast their vote correctly. Here is a step-by-step guide on how voters should conduct themselves at their designated polling stations.
Step 1: Arrival and Queue Management
Upon reaching the polling station, voters must first join the queue. Priority will be given to the elderly and persons with disabilities. It is essential to maintain silence while waiting in the queue.
Step 2: Mobile Phone Restrictions
The use of mobile phones inside the polling station is strictly prohibited. Voters must switch off their mobile phone and hand it over to the election officials. In exchange, they will issue a token. Once you have finished voting and are exiting the premises, you may present this token to retrieve your mobile phone. In some polling booths, officials may collect mobile phones—issuing a token in exchange—before allowing entry.
Step 3: Three-Stage Verification by Officials
Upon entering the polling station, a three-stage verification process will take place.
The First Official will verify your Voter ID card or any other approved alternative identity document. They will read out your Part Number and Serial Number aloud; this helps the candidates’ agents present at the booth to cross-check and verify the name against their own lists.
The Second Official will apply indelible ink to the index finger of your left hand. Subsequently, they will obtain your signature in the register and issue you a small slip.
The Third Official is in charge of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). Upon receiving the slip from you, the official will authorize the voting machine, thereby granting you permission to cast your vote.
Step 4: Secret Voting
Proceed to the secluded area where the EVM is placed. Press the blue button located directly next to the name and symbol of your preferred candidate. As soon as you press it, you will hear a ‘beep’ sound; this confirms that your vote has been successfully recorded. You must strictly refrain from recording a video or taking a photograph of your voting process using a mobile phone.
Step 5: VVPAT Verification
A Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machine will be situated right next to the voting machine. On its display, a slip will appear showing the name and symbol of the candidate for whom you voted. This display remains visible for only 7 seconds. Through this, you can verify that your vote has been cast correctly.
Step 6: Exit
Finally, exit the booth with the satisfaction of having fulfilled your democratic duty. As you leave, do not forget to hand over your token and collect your mobile phone. Let us all cast our votes without fail, driven by a spirit of “Patriotism and Service to the People.”