Chennai (Central), is one of the three Lok Sabha Constituencies of Chennai. This metropolitan constituency of Tamil Nadu which was constituted only in 1977, has an area of 137.32 Sq.Kms. It has always been considered a bastion of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). It has the distinction of electing veteran parliamentarians like former Union Minister Late Thiru. P. Ramachandran of Janata, and former Union Minister Late Thiru. Murasoli Maran.

This is one of the very few constituencies in Tamil Nadu where male voters outnumber women voters. Out of the total electorate of 10,43,081, the Male Voters are 5,22,731 and the Female Voters are 5,20,350.

The constituency has a good chunk of Muslims in Chepauk, Thousand Lights and Egmore Assembly Segments. There is also a considerable number of linguistic minorities and Dalits in the constituency. The educated middle class, Government employees and traders also make up a good part of the electorate.

Thiru. Dayanidhi Maran, younger son of Late Thiru. Murasoli Maran, who made his electoral debut from this constituency, inherits a strong political background. Thiru. Dayanidhi Maran secured 62% of the total votes polled in the constituency.