Polling began at 7 am on October 6 in two Tamil Nadu assembly by-elections. The seats are Madurantakam and Dharapuram. Both are reserved constituencies. Voting will continue until 6 pm. By 11 am, Madurantakam had recorded 35.55 percent polling. Dharapuram had recorded 37.28 percent, the poll body said. Officials reported steady voter turnout since morning. The by-elections are the first electoral test for the TVK-led government. The party came to power about four months ago. The seats fell vacant after two former AIADMK MLAs resigned in May. They later joined the TVK. The ruling party has fielded the same candidates again. The contest is a multi-cornered fight. TVK, DMK, AIADMK and CPI have fielded candidates. In Madurantakam, 2,12,639 voters can cast ballots at 268 polling stations. Dharapuram has 2,22,406 electors and 282 polling stations. Tight security is in place across both constituencies. CCTV cameras watch sensitive polling stations. The results will be counted on October 9. The outcome will signal the political mood in Tamil Nadu.