Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Elections, 23 April 2026

Heatwave 

In late April 2026, the Indian state of Tamil Nadu experienced an intense heatwave, leading to a sharp rise in temperatures and humidity, particularly across the northern and coastal districts (Chaitanya 2026). Temperatures rose to 2-4 degrees Celsius above normal in April, reaching well past 40 degrees Celsius in several districts on election day (ETV Bharat 2026; The Hindu 2026). Even in areas where the temperature stayed around 35 degrees Celsius, the high humidity reportedly made it feel closer to 39 degrees Celsius PTI 2026). In relation to the heatwave, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) “flagged the influence of broader climatic conditions, including El Nino-like patterns, which tend to elevate temperatures and alter seasonal weather behaviour” (Chaitanya 2026). 

 Impact on the electoral process 

The intense temperatures raised concerns about the election period around the 23 April Tamil Nadu State election, especially regarding political campaigning and the safety of campaign and election workers. In order to ensure preparedness, the IMD directed its regional centres to issue special advisories to poll-bound states, and the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) shared daily heat advisories with election authorities in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Kerala. This helped election officials factor in heat conditions while planning polling arrangements and voter facilities, and political parties to calibrate their campaigning schedule (Chaitanya 2026).  

Due to the forecasted high temperatures, many voters, especially elderly citizens, decided to go to the polling stations early in the morning before the most intense heat would hit. In order to manage the heat, many polling stations made arrangements to ensure shade and cool spaces, drinking water facilities, and medical teams on the spot (The Hindu 2026; PTI 2026). During the campaign period, candidates often shifted their campaign events to the evening hours to avoid the hottest periods of the day (PTI 2026). In the context of polling-day challenges, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay reportedly petitioned the Chief Election Commissioner to extend polling hours by two hours due to alleged transport disruptions across the state (The Star 2026). However, there were no reports of any direct causal link between the transport issues and the prevailing heatwave conditions. Despite the conditions on election day, voter turnout hit a historic 85%, which is the highest-ever in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu since independence according to the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kuma (ETV Bharat 2026). 

 Authors: Siri Björgengen and Saket Ambarkhane