The youth and women spoke frankly as they queued up to vote in  232 out of 234 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu on Mondayt.

Yamini and Kirthika, who work at a private company, voted at a booth in the Cantonment Board High School in Chennai South constituency. The duo feels that the present government had not even been able to provide basic amenities like water and power. They strongly want a change in the government.

Another voter Madhurabashini too expects change in the government. She feels whatever welfare measures chief minister J Jayalalithaa announced in the election manifesto early this month, could have been done in these five years.

Madhurabashini  was not pleased with announcements for women such as maternity assistance of Rs.18,000 and one sovereign gold ahead of marriages as she felt that all this at the end of five years is just an eye-wash.

Siddiq came to vote at a booth in Don Bosco school in Egmore constituency. He says there is no growth in the industrial sector under the present government. “Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh is attracting more industries. There is no growth in the industry under the present government, so I strongly feel the present government should be thrown out of power.”

For Asif, this is the third election in which he is exercising his franchise. Asif, who voted at a booth in Presidency Girls Higher Secondary School in Egmore constituency, says, “Industries in the state has been dormant. Standard of living has gone down.” Asif’s sister Shabina, a medical professional, feels that there is a need for improvement in the health sector. “Poor should be benefitted more. In some areas of the health sector the present policies of the government are not satisfactory,” she says.

Don Claudus, who is living in Chennai for the past 50 years, has come to the booth after a decade to vote. He says the government should have announced more for women in the manifesto especially for those who are non-working.

Around 5.82 crore voters will elect a new 234-member assembly in the election being held today and on May 23 for Aravakurichi and Thanjavur constituencies.

Total number of polling stations: 65,616

Total voters: 5.79 crore

Number of sensitive booths: 9360

28 assembly constituencies are declared red alert constituencies in the state. They have three or more candidates from major parties with declared criminal cases.

Richest candidate: H Vasanthakumar Congress candidate, contesting from Nanguneri constituency in Tirunelveli is the money bag. He declared assets worth Rs 337 crore. Chief minister J Jayalalithaa is one among the top three candidates with highest declared assets. She declared assets worth Rs 113 crore.

As per the ADR report, number of candidates with criminal cases in fray: 283

Key contestants:

M Karunanidhi, DMK Tiruvarur constituency
MK Stalin, DMK, Kolathur constituency,
J Jayalalithaa, AIADMK, RK Nagar constituency,
O Pannerselvam, AIADMK Bodinayakkannur constituency,
Vijayakanth, DMDK, Ulundurpet constituency,
Anbumani Ramadoss, Pennagram constituency