The Erode East assembly by-election, conducted on February 5, 2025, indicated significant growth for the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, as their candidate, V.C. Chandhirakumar, established a substantial lead over his nearest rival, M.K. Seethalakshmi of the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK). The counting of votes commenced on February 8 with 600 police and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel stationed to maintain peace amid heightened tensions surrounding the election process.
According to Erode District Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara, “For safety reasons, 600 police personnel have been deployed at the counting centre, along with a company of the CISF.” The counting center was equipped with 76 CCTV cameras for enhanced security, ensuring transparency throughout the process.
Total voter turnout was recorded at approximately 67.98%, with 1,54,657 out of 2,27,546 registered voters casting their ballots, demonstrating active participation among the constituency's electorate, which included 74,260 men, 80,376 women, and 21 third-gender electors.
Initial counting trends showed Chandhirakumar jumping out to lead with 15,949 votes by the second round, leaving Seethalakshmi trailing at 2,328 votes, alongside 517 votes for NOTA (None of the Above). The orderly counting process was managed with integrity as Postal ballots were sorted first, followed by electronic voting machine (EVM) votes counted across 14 designated tables, manned by election officials and monitored by micro-observers. A total of 51 staff members oversaw the counting to uphold the election commission’s standards.
Despite the competitive spirit of the election, tensions flared when Seethalakshmi and her legal team confronted election officials, accusing them of disallowing her advocate, Nanmaran, from entering the counting center. “My victory is guaranteed since the DMK is paying for votes out of fear of me and NTK,” Seethalakshmi claimed, reflecting her frustrations over procedural discrepancies.
Reflecting on the historical performances of the Erode East constituency, the seat was formed following delimitation exercises from earlier assembly polls. Since its establishment, the DMK and AIADMK have been battling for supremacy, with the latter securing victories on three occasions and the former dominating four times. The political atmosphere witnessed significant shifts, especially after the death of AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa, which heralded electoral struggles for her party.
Chandhirakumar’s formidable lead reinforces the DMK's standing after achieving their highest-ever vote share of 56.6% during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Analysts noted the turnout reflects strong voter resolve, especially under conditions where the prominent opposition parties AIADMK and BJP chose to boycott the polls, leaving the contest primarily between DMK and NTK candidates.
The counting process progressed smoothly, with results of each round communicated to the Election Commission instantly, duly shared through the public address system at the counting center. This comprehensive approach promises to uphold the legitimacy of the electoral outcomes amid the scrutiny of involved parties and onlookers.
Going forward, the Erode East by-election results hold significant political outcomes, especially for Chandhirakumar and the DMK, who appear set to capture yet another victory, reinforcing their dominance within the Tamil Nadu political theatre, highlighted by Chandhirakumar’s expectations of clinching the constituency decisively.