PM Modi praises 99-year-old HV Hande for voting in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised 99-year-old HV Hande, a veteran politician and former Tamil Nadu minister, for participating in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Hande, who has a long political career, went to vote despite his advanced age, drawing attention from leaders and citizens alike.

The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of voting and encouraged people, especially young voters, to take part in the democratic process. His message came after HV Hande cast his vote in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

HV Hande is a well-known figure in Tamil Nadu politics. He is a former member of the AIADMK and has been elected as a legislator five times. He also served twice as the Health Minister in the cabinet of late Chief Minister MG Ramachandran.

According to reports, Hande first exercised his right to vote in 1946, decades before India became a republic. His participation in the current elections at the age of 99 has been seen as a powerful example of civic duty and commitment to democracy.

PM Modi’s message on voting

Prime Minister Modi shared a message on social media platform X, appreciating Hande’s dedication to voting. He described the act as an important reminder of the value of democracy.

He also encouraged citizens, especially younger voters, to participate in large numbers and strengthen democratic processes. His message focused on the idea that voting is not just a right but also a responsibility of every citizen.

The Prime Minister’s remarks gained attention as they came during a high-turnout election in Tamil Nadu, where voter participation was significantly strong across many districts.

HV Hande’s example stood out because of his age and long association with public life. Even at 99, he took time to visit the polling station and cast his vote, showing that participation in democracy has no age limit.

Many people on social media also appreciated his gesture, calling it inspiring and motivating for younger generations who sometimes skip voting.

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High voter turnout in Tamil Nadu elections

The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections saw a strong voter turnout across the state. According to election officials, more than 85 per cent of eligible voters participated in the polling held across 234 constituencies.

The election was a three-way contest involving the ruling DMK, the opposition AIADMK, and a new political party led by actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay, known as TVK. Polling was reported to be peaceful, with no major incidents across the state.

Some districts recorded especially high participation. Karur reported the highest turnout at over 92 per cent, followed by Salem, Dharmapuri, Erode, and Namakkal, all recording above 89 per cent turnout.

Officials said that voting figures were still being collected and verified, so the final percentage may increase slightly. However, early data already showed one of the strongest voter turnouts in recent years.

Political analysts noted that such high participation reflects strong public interest in the election and competitive political atmosphere in the state.

Strong democratic participation across generations

Tamil Nadu has historically shown strong voter participation compared to many other states. In previous elections, turnout has gradually increased over time. For example, the 2011 Assembly elections recorded one of the highest turnouts in the state’s history.

In the 2021 elections, over 73 per cent of voters participated. In 2026, the number appears to have crossed 85 per cent, showing a clear rise in voter engagement. Officials also noted that the total number of votes cast in 2026 was higher than in previous elections due to an increase in registered voters.

HV Hande’s decision to vote at 99 has become a symbolic moment in this election. It reflects how older citizens continue to take part in shaping the future of the state.

Leaders across political parties have often encouraged people to vote, but examples like Hande’s tend to have a stronger emotional impact. His participation shows that civic responsibility can continue throughout life, regardless of age.

As Tamil Nadu awaits final election results, the focus remains on both the political outcome and the record participation of voters. The strong turnout and inspiring examples like HV Hande’s voting highlight the importance citizens continue to give to democratic processes in India.