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Actor-politician Vijay urges Election Commission to extend polling hours and deploy emergency transport amid voter disruption
April 23, 2026: On polling day in Tamil Nadu, actor-politician Vijay, chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), wrote to the Election Commission of India seeking an extension of voting hours in affected constituencies. Contesting from Tiruchirappalli East and Perambur, he requested that polling be extended from 6 PM to 8 PM, citing long queues and widespread transport disruptions that have prevented many voters from reaching polling booths.
In his letter, Vijay highlighted what he described as a “transport paralysis,” particularly in cities like Chennai, where large numbers of voters were reportedly stranded at bus terminals without adequate services. He argued that the situation was not a minor inconvenience but a serious administrative lapse that could deny citizens their fundamental right to vote. He urged authorities to deploy additional buses, shuttles, and emergency transport to ferry voters to polling stations.
Vijay also raised concerns over slow polling processes at booths, warning that delays could discourage voter turnout. He called for better supervision at polling centres to ensure smooth voting and emphasised that no voter should be denied their democratic right due to logistical failures. The Election Commission’s response to his demands is now being closely watched as voting continues across the state.