Empowering Chennai’s Voters: Information, Insights, and Action for the 2026 Elections
Every election, Oorvani works to arm citizens with the information they need to make informed choices. The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026 were no different. Through report cards, voter guides, constituency profiles, and candidate details, we helped voters understand key issues, evaluate incumbent performance, and choose the right candidates.
Open Data for Informed Decisions
We curated critical datasets on Chennai’s governance—covering health, education, infrastructure, past election results, and voter data. These resources, including maps, citizen charters, and party manifestos, are available on opencity.in, giving voters easy access to essential information.
We also compiled detailed profiles of 20 constituencies and candidate information. For more, see TN elections 2026: Detailed info for Chennai voters
Chennai Constituencies DataJam: Evaluating state of public services
To assess the state of essential government services, we organised the Chennai Constituencies DataJam in partnership with Nagariyal, Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) Chennai, and Reach the Unreached. Held on 28 March 2026, the event analysed data on schools, open spaces, voter turnout, sewerage networks, UPHCs, slums, and satellite imagery (land temperature, vegetation, built-up areas).
Key findings:
- Sanitation gaps: Only 543 of 887 informal settlements are connected to the sewerage network, leaving 344 unserved. Sholinganallur (61%) and Madhavaram (38%) have the highest share of unconnected slums, many near waterbodies—risking pollution and flooding.
- Urban heat risks: Ambattur and Velachery face extreme heat due to low vegetation and dense construction, while Royapuram is critically vulnerable—its lack of green cover and industrial activity worsen heat exposure.
For more, visit Election Datajam
Community Engagement: What Chennai wants
Ahead of the elections, we engaged with residents, community leaders, and civic activists to identify urgent issues voters want MLAs to address. Our discussions with RWA representatives and analysis of citizen manifestos led to pre-poll report cards, highlighting governance gaps in Chennai’s 16 constituencies.
Citizens’ Common Minimum Programme: A shared vision
Based on community discussions, data insights, and citizen manifestos, we developed the Citizens’ Common Minimum Programme (CMP)—15 policy priorities Chennai’s residents want their elected representatives to focus on. The demands included transparent urban planning with citizen input, sustainable waste management (scrapping Waste-to-Energy plants, promoting composting/biogas), better healthcare (functional hospitals, mobile clinics), improved education (school infrastructure, teacher-student ratio), and water security (drop Mamallan reservoir, focus on harvesting). They also call for reliable public transport, road upgrades, zoning compliance, sewage treatment in peri-urban areas, and accessible public spaces.
In a citywide survey (Koyambedu to OMR, Perambur to Pallavaram), residents ranked their top three demands:
- Create a stormwater drainage masterplan for the city and ensure regular maintenance of canals
- Improve road infrastructure, prioritising safe footpaths and fix last mile connectivity issues
- Scrap the Waste To Energy Plant plans in Chennai; look at sustainable alternatives like composting and biogas plants
The Citizens’ Common Minimum Programme is a tool for community groups ti push for policies that reflect Chennai’s real needs. As election results unfold, we’ll track progress, and help civic groups hold leaders accountable, and amplify citizen voices to shape the city’s future.