Political explainers
Practical guides to reading an election result, finding your representative and checking a political claim. Each guide identifies its evidence and limits.
- How to find your current MLA in Tamil NaduIdentify your Assembly constituency, then check the current Tamil Nadu Assembly member directory. An old election winner can differ from the current MLA.
- How to read the Tamil Nadu 2026 election resultsUnderstand a constituency result, party seats and statewide vote share. Check the election year, seat number, result status and official Form 20 record.
- Election margin and vote share: what is the difference?A winning margin is the gap between the winner and runner-up. Vote share needs a stated denominator. Understand percentage points with a labelled arithmetic example.
- Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies: what is the difference?An MLA is elected to the state Assembly; an MP to the Lok Sabha. Identify the correct electoral seat without confusing it with a district or ward.
- What is a by-election, and how does it differ from a general election?Understand a by-election, the limits of the six-month rule, and why a vacancy notice, polling schedule and final result need separate checks.
- How are votes counted in Indian elections?Understand EVM and postal votes, counting rounds, Form 17C, Form 20 and VVPAT. Distinguish a reported lead from the final declaration.
- Does more political news coverage mean more votes?Separate news attention from voter support. Read TamilTick’s observation window, sources and collection gaps before interpreting a coverage ranking.
- How to verify a political news claim before sharing itCheck the date, original document, complete quotation and independent evidence. Use ECI records for election claims and Assembly records for membership.