TN Assembly Polls 2026: 3,352 Candidates Forfeit Deposit; Women Representation Stats

Tamil Nadu 2026 Election Statistics: Deposit Forfeiture and Voter Turnout

The 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections saw a record number of candidates losing their election deposits. Out of 4,032 contestants, a staggering 3,352 candidates forfeited their deposits by failing to secure at least one-sixth (16.67%) of the total valid votes polled in their respective constituencies.

Party-wise Performance on Deposits

• NTK: Lost deposits in all 234 contested seats.


• TVK: Successfully retained deposits in all 233 constituencies it contested.


• Metros: In Karur, 76 out of 79 candidates lost their deposits, reflecting extreme polarization.


• Major Parties: DMK, INC, VCK, and Left parties did not lose deposits in any of their contested seats.

Women Representation Among Winners

Key Polling Data

• Overall Turnout: 86.03% (A historic high for Tamil Nadu).


• Excluding Postal Ballots: 85.01%.

For TNPSC aspirants, the 1/6th vote rule for deposit forfeiture and the record turnout are essential facts for the 'Current Events' and 'Electoral Literacy' modules.