Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2024: Over 4,650 Candidates in Fray, Higher Than 2021
The upcoming Assembly election in Tamil Nadu, scheduled for April 23, will witness a significant surge in candidate participation, with more than 4,654 candidates officially in the fray. This number marks a notable increase compared to the 2021 polls, reflecting heightened political activity and competition across the state.
Nomination Scrutiny and Rejections
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), a total of 7,599 nominations were filed for the election. During the rigorous scrutiny process, the authorities rejected 2,460 nominations due to various discrepancies or non-compliance with electoral rules. Additionally, 485 candidates voluntarily withdrew their papers, further refining the final list of contenders.
Constituency-Wise Breakdown
The distribution of candidates varies widely across constituencies, highlighting diverse electoral landscapes:
- Karur leads with the highest number of candidates, as 85 nominations were declared valid out of 108 filed.
- Ambasamudram has the lowest count, with just five valid nominations.
- Other constituencies with fewer candidates include Udhagamandalam and Gudalur (SC), each with six valid nominations, and Orathanadu with nine.
- As many as 14 constituencies are set to have between 30 to 37 candidates, indicating competitive races in these areas.
In terms of rejections, Thondamuthur witnessed the highest number, with 50 nominations rejected out of 77 filed, and one candidate withdrawing their nomination.
Chennai Constituencies in Focus
In the capital city of Chennai, the ECI scrutinized and validated nominations in key constituencies:
- Perambur: 47 valid nominations
- Kolathur: 41 valid nominations
- Thiru Vi Ka constituency: 40 valid nominations
These three constituencies boast the highest number of valid nominations in Chennai, underscoring intense political engagement in urban centers.
Comparison with 2021 Election
The current election cycle shows a shift from the 2021 Assembly election, where 6,665 nominations were filed, resulting in 3,998 candidates remaining after scrutiny and withdrawals across 234 seats. The increase in candidates this year is attributed to factors such as the entry of the TVK party, which has set up a four-cornered contest in many constituencies, adding to the electoral dynamics.
A senior officer in the election wing confirmed, "We will publish the final list of candidates in the fray on Friday," ensuring transparency and timely updates for voters and stakeholders.
This election promises to be a closely watched event, with the higher candidate count indicating robust democratic participation and competitive politics in Tamil Nadu.
