A robot developed by students from the Government Arts College in Coimbatore greeted voters and distributed sweets to encourage participation during the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The robot was created using voice processing and radio control (RC) technology. Student Vimal Vijayan explained the initiative, saying, “Today is election day for Tamil Nadu. So, we are promoting 100% voting through this robot. People are giving great response to this.”
He added, “The team developed the robot’s voice processing and RC control model. The robot is giving a message – stand in the queue and how to cast a vote.” Vimal further stated his passion for technology: “I am passionate about electronics and engineering, robotics technology.”
Two such robots have been deployed as part of the awareness campaign to engage and assist voters.
Tamil Nadu recorded a voter turnout of 62.18 per cent at 1 pm on polling day, according to the Election Commission of India. Tiruppur district recorded the highest turnout at 62.97 per cent, followed by Namakkal at 62.51 per cent and Erode at 61.97 per cent. Chennai district registered 54.58 per cent, Coimbatore 58.24 per cent, and Madurai 54.75 per cent. The lowest turnout was in Nilgiris at 50.42 per cent.
Polling will conclude at 6:00 pm, with results announced on May 4.
Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik reported the state’s electorate comprises over 57.3 million voters, including 29,304,905 female voters, 28,030,658 male voters and 7,728 third-gender voters. The poll authorities are also catering to 1,459,039 first-time voters and 68,501 service voters, with 418,541 postal votes already received. Additionally, 62 counting centres have been established to ensure a smooth process after the close of voting.
The election is primarily contested between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, including the Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance led by the AIADMK, with BJP and PMK as allies.