The exit polls for the 2026 Puducherry Assembly elections indicate that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the All India NR Congress (AINRC), is likely to retain power, with projections of winning 16-20 seats out of a total of 30. The Congress-DMK alliance is expected to lag behind, securing 6-8 seats. This election has seen a remarkable voter turnout of 89.87%, the highest since Puducherry's first Assembly election in 1964. Campaigns centered on local issues such as autonomy, infrastructure, jobs, and law and order, diverging from broader national themes. Chief Minister N Rangasamy and other leaders from the NDA focused their efforts on development schemes and security to defend their position, while the Congress-DMK coalition aimed to present itself as a viable alternative, accusing the ruling alliance of misgovernance. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), participating in the elections for the first time, attempted to appeal to younger voters but is expected to act more as a vote-splitter than a potential government-maker.