Vellore election results 2026: TVK’s MM Vinoth Kannan wins by 6,777 votes, defeats DMK and AIADMK

In Vellore, MM Vinoth Kannan of TVK secured a narrow victory, polling 73,032 votes. He defeated DMK’s P Karthikeyan by a margin of 6,777 votes. AIADMK’s SRK Appu finished third with 45,458 votes, as the constituency witnessed a closely contested three-way battle ending in a TVK win.The Vellore constituency witnessed a highly contested battle with the DMK re-nominating the incumbent P Karthikeyan, who sought a third consecutive term to maintain the party's historic dominance in the fort city. He faced a formidable challenge from S R K Appu (alias S Radhakrishnan) of the AIADMK, who campaigned aggressively on urban renewal and local healthcare infrastructure. The race was further electrified by the entry of M M Vinoth Kannan, representing the TVK and Soniya of the NTK, both of whom gained significant traction among the citizens.The 2021 election saw P Karthikeyan (DMK) secure a hard-fought victory with 84,299 votes (46.9% vote share), defeating S R K Appu (AIADMK), who polled 75,118 votes. The victory margin was 9,181 votes. In the 2016 election, P Karthikeyan (DMK) won with 88,264 votes, defeating the AIADMK’s Harun Rasheed by a wide margin of 26,210 votes. The voter turnout this year was 88%, a historic high for the constituency, marking a significant increase from the 70.52% recorded in the 2021 elections.Vellore (Constituency No. 43), the administrative heart of the district, is a globally recognised hub for medical tourism and education. Landmarks like the massive 16th-century Vellore Fort, the Christian Medical College (CMC), and the Sripuram Golden Temple define its identity. A diverse and highly urbanised electorate, featuring a mix of medical professionals, students, traders, and a significant minority population, makes this seat a critical barometer for urban welfare, heritage preservation, and the services economy in northern Tamil Nadu.The 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections were held in a single phase on April 23, recording a high voter turnout of 85.15%, with results declared on May 4. The polls witnessed an intense three-way contest that challenged the state’s traditional bipolar political structure. The electoral battle was primarily between the DMK-led alliance, including the INC and other parties, headed by MK Stalin and the AIADMK-led alliance, headed by Edappadi K Palaniswami, along with the BJP and other parties. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), marking actor Vijay’s political debut as a third force across all 234 constituencies.