Election – Vijay Urges Extra Buses as Voters Struggle to Reach Polls
Election – Actor-turned-politician Vijay has called on the Election Commission to arrange urgent transport support after reports of voters being unable to reach polling stations during the ongoing Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
Appeal for Immediate Transport Support
After casting his vote at a polling booth in Chennai’s Neelankarai area on Thursday, Vijay highlighted the difficulties faced by voters stranded at major bus terminals. In a formal communication to the Election Commission, he requested that additional government buses and shuttle services be deployed without delay. His appeal focused on ensuring that those waiting at transit points could be transported directly to their respective polling booths.
Voters Left Waiting Across Cities
According to Vijay, the issue was not limited to Chennai alone. Similar situations were reported in other urban centers across the state, where many people struggled to find public transport options. He pointed out that thousands of voters, including those who had traveled from different states and even overseas, were unable to proceed due to the lack of available buses.
He attributed the problem to the large number of vehicles that had been reassigned for election-related duties. While acknowledging the importance of logistical arrangements for polling, he stressed that no parallel system had been established for ordinary citizens trying to exercise their democratic rights.
Call for Coordinated Action
In his letter, Vijay urged authorities to act swiftly by coordinating with state transport departments and district election officials. He proposed deploying dedicated buses and other vehicles exclusively for voter movement. The aim, he said, should be to ensure that no eligible voter is denied the opportunity to cast a ballot due to transportation barriers.
Film Industry Figures Participate in Voting
Amid these concerns, several well-known personalities from the Tamil film industry participated in the voting process across different locations. Vijay’s parents, S. A. Chandrasekhar and Shoba Chandrasekhar, cast their votes at a government school in Adyar.
Director H. Vinoth voted in Anaicut, while filmmaker Pa. Ranjith participated in polling at his hometown. Director Atlee also exercised his franchise at a polling center in Chennai.
Prominent Celebrities Turn Out
Veteran actor Rajinikanth, accompanied by his daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth, voted at Stella Maris College. Actor and political figure Kamal Haasan arrived with his daughter Shruti Haasan to vote at a government school in Teynampet.
Actor Vikram cast his vote at a school in Besant Nagar, while Gautham Karthik voted at Stella Maris College. Actor Ajith Kumar, who reportedly returned quickly from Belgium where he was involved in a racing event, was among the early voters in Thiruvanmiyur.
Music composer Anirudh Ravichander and actor Dhanush were seen voting at a polling booth in Alwarpet during the morning hours.
Large-Scale Electoral Exercise Underway
Polling for all 234 Assembly constituencies is being conducted in a single phase. A total of 4,023 candidates are contesting in this election, making it a significant democratic exercise for the state. Authorities have made arrangements for smooth polling, with counting scheduled for May 4.
Despite logistical challenges reported in certain areas, voter turnout remained steady as citizens across Tamil Nadu continued to arrive at polling stations throughout the day.
Focus on Voter Accessibility
The situation has brought renewed attention to the importance of accessibility during elections. Vijay’s intervention has added to calls for ensuring that administrative planning includes adequate provisions for voter transport, particularly in large cities where reliance on public transit is high.
Election officials are yet to respond publicly to the request, but the issue underscores the need for balancing election logistics with citizen convenience.