A palpable sense of excitement marked polling day across the Tiruchi district as first-time voters turned up promptly at polling stations, eager to exercise their franchise in support of the candidate of their choice.

In the Tiruverumbur Assembly constituency, M. Abdullah, 18, a resident of Anna Nagar in Kattur, cast his vote at the Government Adi Dravidar Higher Secondary School polling station at Pappakurichi. Expressing concern over rising crime, he said: “We need a change now. Crimes are taking place everywhere, and it is time there was a change.” His views were echoed by his friend S. Nishanth, 19, also from Anna Nagar, Kattur.