This time elections in Tamil Nadu have witnessed a considerable increase in number of nominations, with women representation rising two-fold as compared to the previous Assembly elections.

While last year saw only 2,748 contesting in 234 Assembly constituencies, this time around the number stands at 3,785, an increase of more than 33 per cent.

During 2011 Assembly polls, only 143 women candidates were in the fray. This election has a total of 320 women candidates filing their nominations papers successfully, an increase of 123 per cent compared to previous polls.

Even the men representation has increased by 34 per cent with total of 3,468 male candidates filing their nominations to try their electoral fortune compared to previous year’s figure of 2,605.

Though a total of 7,151 candidates have filed their papers, the Election Commission rejected as many as 3,028 and 4,123 were accepted on scrutiny.

However, during the last date for withdrawals, a total 338 candidates withdrew their nominations, leaving only 3,785 candidates in the fray for the elections.

In addition, for the first time in the electoral history, two transgenders are also in the fray, one contesting against the AIADMK Chief Jayalalithaa and other one contesting in Madurai constituency.

The high-profile R.K. Nagar constituency in the city, from where AIADMK Supremo and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa is seeking re-election, has the highest number of 45 candidates in the fray, while Gudalur, Arcot, Mayiladuthurai, have the least number, eight candidates each.

The presence of more than 3,700 candidates in the fray was the highest since the 1996 Assembly elections in which a record 5,017 candidates contested.