## Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls – Deposit Forfeiture Summary
A total of 3352 candidates forfeited their deposits in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. This represents a significant number from the 3,933 candidates who contested across 234 constituencies.
**Key Figures:**
* **Total Candidates:** 3,933
* **Candidates who lost deposits:** 3,352
* **Constituencies:** 234
* **Average Candidates per Constituency:** Approximately 16.8 (3933/234)
* **Deposit Amount:** ₹10,000 (for general category candidates) and ₹5,000 (for SC/ST candidates)
**Party-wise Deposit Forfeiture (Significant Parties):**
* **AIADMK:** 82 candidates lost deposits.
* **DMK:** 18 candidates lost deposits.
* **BJP:** 169 candidates lost deposits.
* **Congress:** 58 candidates lost deposits.
* **CPI(M):** 13 candidates lost deposits.
* **CPI:** 10 candidates lost deposits.
* **VCK:** 14 candidates lost deposits.
* **PMK:** 34 candidates lost deposits.
* **NTK (Naam Tamilar Katchi):** 186 candidates lost deposits.
* **Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK):** 128 candidates lost deposits.
**Independent Candidates:**
* A substantial portion of deposit forfeitures came from independent candidates – 2,298 individuals lost their deposits.
**Observations:**
* The high number of deposit forfeitures indicates a fragmented electoral contest with many candidates unable to secure the required 1/6th of the total votes polled in their respective constituencies to retain their deposit.
* The BJP and NTK experienced a particularly high number of deposit losses, suggesting limited electoral impact beyond specific pockets.
* The DMK and AIADMK, the major contenders, had comparatively fewer candidates losing deposits, reflecting their stronger voter base and organizational reach.
* Independent candidates consistently face challenges in garnering sufficient votes to meet the deposit requirement.
