In the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu elections, a troubling trend has emerged with the appearance of proxy candidates sharing names with prominent contenders across more than 100 constituencies. In Coimbatore South, for instance, five candidates named Senthil Kumar are running, complicating the decision for voters. This strategy, aimed at misleading voters, has been noted in various constituencies, including Perambur and Thondamuthur, where multiple candidates share the same name as official party nominees. The Election Commission (EC) has responded by adding candidate photographs alongside party symbols on electronic voting machines (EVMs) to help voters identify their preferred candidates more easily. Psephologist R Chandrasekaran has pointed out that while courts have recognized this issue as a significant threat to democracy, enforcement actions remain insufficient. Party representatives, like T Selvakumaran from the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Katchi (TVK), argue that while photographs may assist, they are not a complete solution, especially for parties with many new candidates. They emphasize the need for the EC to take stronger action against such electoral manipulation tactics.