Tamil Nadu assembly elections begin

The state has recorded robust voter turnout, with some districts reporting over 80% polling by the evening.

The election has seen a strong presence from Kollywood stars, whose participation has drawn significant fan attention and occasionally led to unruly scenes at polling stations.

Innovative measures, such as sari-clad robots and color-coded voting systems, were deployed to assist first-time voters.

While the campaign was relatively muted, the results will determine the political future of the DMK-led administration and its rivals.