Trichy: Multiple Assembly constituencies in central Tamil Nadu with a strong composition of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), mostly men working in Gulf countries, have recorded voter turnout below the state's average of 85.1%. Unable to avail holidays amid military tensions in the Middle East, limited air connectivity, and escalated airfares have prevented them from returning home for voting.
Impact on Specific Constituencies
Adirampattinam, a coastal town in Thanjavur district falling under Pattukottai constituency, has a sizable minority population working in Gulf countries. During the Special Summary Revision (SSR), NRIs, through their family members, retained their names in the electorate. However, the Iran-Israel-US military conflict disrupted their travel plans. In booth number 293 in Adirampattinam, only 57.4% of votes were polled. A Veeramani, a DMK booth-level agent, said, "Low turnout in Adirampattinam because many men working in the UAE did not return to vote. In some booths, the turnout dropped below 70%, lowering the average turnout of Pattukottai constituency recorded at 75.4%."
In Aranthangi and Thirumayam in Pudukottai district, many voters work in Gulf countries, Malaysia, and Singapore. B Devendiran, an NRI from Thirumayam working in Dubai, noted, "Even if we were granted leave, limited air connectivity has escalated the ticket fares from the Gulf. Fares went up four times; many could not go home." Constituencies such as Papanasam in Thanjavur and Mayiladuthurai also recorded low turnout, with NRIs unable to return home being a primary reason.
Contrast with Karur District
On the contrary, Karur district recorded the highest voter turnout in the state at 92.6%. The SSR played a role in increasing voter turnout, with around 26,500 voters added and 55,000 names removed. However, the key reasons for the high turnout are that most of the population works within the district or in nearby districts. S Vijayan of the Cauvery River Protection Association in Karur explained, "Industries such as textile and bus body-building units employ locals. Even those working in Coimbatore and Tirupur have returned to vote."
