00:45 BST
Tamil Nadu goes to the polls today in India's Lok Sabha election, in the third stage of the country's staggered election process.
Voting for the 39 parliamentary seats will take place across all 39 Tamil Nadu constituencies in one single day.
Polling is also taking place in constituencies in ten other states across the country, including Assam, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
Votes will be counted on May 16.
Political parties contesting in Tamil Nadu include:
AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) led by the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa.
Democratic Progressive Alliance, a five party coalition, consisting of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led by M. Karunanidhi, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi led by Thol. Thirumavalavan, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi led by M. H. Jawahirullah, Indian Union Muslim League led by K. M. Kader Mohideen, and Puthiya Tamizhagam led by K. Krishnasamy.
United Progressive Alliance - ruling coalition, dominated by the Indian National Congress (INC), to contest in Tamil Nadu under the leadership of B.S. Gnanadesikan.
CPI(M)-CPI - an alliance of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India, led by G. Ramakrishnan and D. Pandian respectively, which was formed last month.
National Democratic Alliance - a coalition of 7 parties formed by the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), also including Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) led by Vijayakanth, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) led by S. Ramadoss, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) led by Vaiko, Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi led by T.R. Pachamuthu, Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi led by E.R. Eswaran, and Puthiya Needhi Katchi led by A.C. Shanmugam.
Aam Aadmi party (AAP) led by David Barun Kumar.
The 39 Tamil Nadu constituencies include: Thiruvallur, Chennai North, Chennai South, Chennai Central, Sriperumbudur, Kancheepuram, Arakkonam, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai, Arani, Vilappuram, Kallakurichi, Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Tiruppur, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Pollachi, Dindigul, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Sivaganga, Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukkudi, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari.
See related articles:
Campaigning brought to close as Tamil Nadu gets ready for Thursday polls (22 Apr 2014)
Congress did more than any other party for Tamils in SL – Sonia Gandhi (16 Apr 2014)
Modi to tour Tamil Nadu and hold talks with Sri Lanka (14 Apr 2014)
MDMK pledges to lift ban on LTTE and work for Eelam referendum (22 Mar 2014)
DMK demands international probe and referendum on self-determination (05 Mar 2014)
AIADMK manifesto calls for Eelam referendum (25 Feb 2014)