Scrutiny of 7,136 nominations filed by the candidates of various parties, including top leaders like AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, were taken today by the election officials across Tamil Nadu for the May 16 Assembly polls.
As many as 7,136 persons had filed nominations, with 6,343 of them being men and 789 women. Four are from the third gender, according to Election Commission statistics.
Nominations for the 234 Assembly constituencies had ended yesterday and the last date for withdrawal is May 2.
Polling will be held on May 16 and the votes taken up for counting on May 19 where the winners of a tough multi-cornered electoral fight will emerge.
While Jayalalithaa is contesting from RK Nagar here seeking a successive term, Karunanidhi is trying his luck from native Thiruvarur once again.
Other big names fighting the polls include DMDK founder Vijayakant (Ulunthoorpet), PMK Youth Wing Leader Anbumani Ramadoss (Pennagaram) and Thol.Thirumavalavan, the VCK founder who is contesting from Kattumannarkoil.