All updates: South India votes, Polling ends in TN, Andaman's Shompen tribe cast ballots for first time

Tamil Nadu records 62% total voter turnout till 5 PM

Polling ends in all 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu. Total voter turnout - 62%.

For first time people of Andaman's Shompen tribe vote

For the first time in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, seven members of the Shompen tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTGs) of Great Nicobar Islands on Friday exercised their voting rights for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the union territory, an official said. The Shompen tribes were assisted in their language by an interpreter known as 'Mathiyas' (a Nicobari tribal youth).

Andaman & Nicobar Islands records 45.4% polling till 3 pm

An estimated 45.48% of the total 3,15,148 voters in Andaman and Nicobar Islands have exercised their franchise till 3 pm on Friday for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the union territory, an official said. Chief Electoral Officer B S Jaglan said voting is going on peacefully.

"So far the voting is going on peacefully. There were some minor EVM glitches but it was addressed immediately. It did not hamper the poll process," the CEO stated.

Ex-Chief Minister of Puducherry V. Narayanasamy casts his vote

Former Puducherry CM V. Narayanasamy casts his vote at VOC Government Higher Secondary School in Tamil Nadu.

VIDEO | Former CM of Puducherry Narayanasamy (@VNarayanasami) casts his vote at VOC Government Higher Secondary school in Tamil Nadu. #LSPolls2024WithPTI #LokSabhaElections2024

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/s25OtqCdJ1

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 19, 2024

Voters in Ennore withdrew decision of boycotting polls

About one thousand voters of Ennore who had announced to boycott the election over the ammonia gas leak incident at Ennore Creek withdrew their decision and decided to vote.

Erode - all-women-run polling station in TN decked in pink

All-women-run polling station was established in the state exclusively for women voters to exercise their franchise, decked in pink.

Tamil Nadu: 4 villages boycott polls

Residents of four villages, S Eripalayam, Viruthagirikuppam, Pudu Viruthagirikuppam, and Katchi Perimanatham, refused to participate in the elections over the failure of the government to make their villages separate panchayats and provide basic facilities. All of these villages fall under the Cuddalore parliamentary constituency.

Below is the voter turnout till 1 pm

Tamil Nadu - 40.05%  Lakshadweep - 29.91%  Puducherry - 44.95%

Two voters passed away at polling booths in TN

Two voters passed away at polling booths in Salem and Kallakurichi Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu on Friday due to cardiac arrest.

89-year-old comes out to vote in Puducherry

Kothandapani (89) along with his 86-year-old wife Krishnammal turned up at a booth in the Veerampattinam coastal village in Ariyankuppam Assembly constituency to cast their votes. Kothandapani is the grandfather of the AIADMK contestant G. Tamizhvendhan, family sources told media at the booth.

Lt. Gov of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Admiral D K Joshi (Rtd) casts his vote

#WATCH | Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Admiral D K Joshi (Rtd) says, "I have given a message that voting is not just a right but also a responsibility. I would also like to appeal to all the eligible voters of Andaman and Nicobar to carry out their duty… https://t.co/6uf1GPrSDg pic.twitter.com/3mjZcejRLD

— ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

Actor Suriya Sivakumar casts his vote in Chennai

Casting his vote, Sivakumar says, "Everyone should participate and know about their candidates. People should know their candidates well before they come and cast their votes."

#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: After casting his vote, Actor Suriya Sivakumar says, "Everyone should participate and know about their candidates. People should know their candidates well before they come and cast their votes."#LokSabhaElections2024 https://t.co/59CLxtL0eQ pic.twitter.com/WGOMfPuWHV

— ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

Till 11 am 23.72% of TN casts their ballots

Till 11 AM, 23.72% voter turnout has been recorded in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry - 27.63% and Lakshadweep records 16.33%.

Actor Yogi Babu votes

Comedian and Actor Yogi Babu marks his choice on the ballot in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Lakshadweep records lowest voter turnout

Lakshadweep reported lowest voter turnout of 16.33% among all the Union Territories and States.

Festival of Democracy: Governor RN Ravi casts his vote along with his wife

"This is the festival of democracy. I am immensely happy and proud to have participated in it. This mark (inked finger) is the most beautiful insignia of a citizen. I would urge all citizens, especially the first-time voters, to take part in this festival with full enthusiasm", says TN Governor RN Ravi after casting vote.

VIDEO | Lok Sabha elections 2024: “Our country is the mother of Democracy, and voting is the testimony of that democracy. I am immensely proud and happy to have participated in the festival of democracy. I would urge all citizens, especially first-time voters, to take part in… pic.twitter.com/LwrIuKLE6Q

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 19, 2024

Kamal Haasan casts his vote

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Hassan casts his vote in Koyambedu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan casts his vote in Chennai

Edited video is available on PTI Videos (https://t.co/L2D7HH309u) #PTINewsAlerts #PTIVideos @PTI_News pic.twitter.com/35ke2jYC23

— PTI News Alerts (@PTI_NewsAlerts) April 19, 2024

AIADMK nominee Saravanan casts vote with family

TN: Madurai AIADMK candidate Saravanan casts vote with family

Edited video is available on PTI Videos (https://t.co/L2D7HH309u) #PTINewsAlerts #PTIVideos @PTI_News pic.twitter.com/9j9bu9LxtT

— PTI News Alerts (@PTI_NewsAlerts) April 19, 2024

Brisk polling underway in Tamil Nadu,12.55% voter turn out till 9 AM

Brisk polling is underway in Tamil Nadu for the 2024 general election with the state witnessing a 12.55 per cent turnout till 9 AM. The polling exercise that began at 7 AM on Friday amid tight security arrangements is going on in a quick pace in most of the 39 constituencies spread across the state.The enthusiasm among first time voters was palpable who hurried to find their names on electoral rolls at makeshift kiosks set up by political parties. Several of them proudly displayed the indelible mark and said they have completed their democratic duty.

Tamil Nadu CM casts his vote

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin casts his vote, saying, "I did my democratic duty to protect the country".

PHOTOS | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and his wife show their fingers marked with indelible ink after casting their votes for the first phase at a polling station in Chennai.#LSPolls2024WithPTI #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/UcOLVPmz3J

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 19, 2024

South will prove its support for NDA & PM Modi: TN BJP Chief

VIDEO | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: “It’s a very important day. It’s a trendsetter - day 1 of polling.. I am sure Tamil Nadu… south will prove that it in a big way supports NDA and PM Modi,” says Tamil Nadu BJP president and party candidate from Coimbatore seat K Annamalai in an… pic.twitter.com/ZBvn9epmgo

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 19, 2024

Former Union Minister P Chidambaram spotted at a polling booth, casting his vote

VIDEO | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) arrives at a polling booth in Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu to cast his vote. #LSPolls2024WithPTI #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/i64jqgWeeI

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 19, 2024

Independent nominee O Panneerselvam casts his vote

Ex-Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha constituency candidate, O Panneerselvam, exercised his vote in Theni. Panneerselvam, backed by the BJP-led NDA, is running as an Independent candidate in the Lok Sabha polls.

BJP's Kanyakumari candidate casts vote

BJP nominee from Kanyakumari constituency, Pon Radhakrishnan casts his vote at SLB school, Nagercoil.

VIDEO | BJP candidate from Kanyakumari Pon Radhakrishnan (@PonnaarrBJP) casts his vote at SLB school, Nagercoil. #LSPolls2024WithPTI #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/CDZ54WMQf1

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 19, 2024

Voting delayed in some booths

Voting was delayed by an hour in some polling booths, such as the one near Tambaram coming under Sriperumbudur Lok Sabha segment, due to technical glitches in the electronic voting machines. Officials said they were attending to it.

BJP's Annamalai casts his vote

K. Annamalai, BJP face from Coimbatore seat casts his vote in Karur, Tamil Nadu.

Palaniswami casts his vote

Ex-Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami casts his vote in Salem.

Voting begins for Lok Sabha seats

Polling begins in all 39 Lok Sabha constituencies of Tamil Nadu. P Chidambaram casts his vote, claims INDIA bloc's win over all 39 seats in the state.