India, April 23 -- The Namakkal district registered the highest turnout of 19.83% and Nilgiris the lowest (15.54%), with an overall 17.69% of over 57.3 million eligible voters voting until 9am in the Tamil Nadu assembly election on Thursday.

Chief minister M K Stalin and his family, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, superstar Rajinikanth, actor-politician Kamal Haasan, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay were among the early voters. Stalin appealed to people to come out in large numbers and vote.

As many as 4,023 candidates, including 443 women, are in the fray. Karur constituency has the most contestants at 79. Sholinganallur has the highest number of voters (5,36, 991) an...