Puducherry Assembly Elections 2026: Over 9 Lakh Voters Cast Ballots for 294 Candidates
Puducherry election 2026 LIVE: More than 9 lakh voters to decide fate of 294 candidates today
The Hindu
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In the Puducherry Assembly elections, approximately 9.50 lakh voters are set to choose from 294 candidates across 30 seats. The elections, monitored by extensive security measures, see the ruling NDA coalition facing off against the opposition INDIA bloc, while a new party led by actor Vijay adds competition.
- 01Around 9.50 lakh voters are participating in the elections.
- 02A total of 294 candidates are contesting for 30 Assembly seats.
- 03The ruling NDA coalition includes AINRC, BJP, AIADMK, and LJK.
- 04The opposition INDIA bloc comprises Congress, DMK, and VCK.
- 05Actor Vijay's new party, TVK, is fielding candidates as a third force.
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The Puducherry Assembly elections are underway, with approximately 9.50 lakh voters deciding the fate of 294 candidates across 30 Assembly seats. Polling commenced at 7 a.m. in Puducherry and its enclaves—Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam. The Chief Electoral Officer, P. Jawahar, confirmed that all arrangements are in place for a smooth polling process, with 1,099 polling stations, including 209 vulnerable and five critical stations, under security watch. A total of 2,791 policemen and personnel from 30 companies of Central Armed Police Forces are deployed to ensure safety. The ruling NDA coalition, which includes the AINRC, BJP, AIADMK, and LJK, aims to maintain its governance, while the opposition INDIA bloc, consisting of Congress, DMK, and VCK, seeks to regain power by addressing local autonomy and administrative concerns. Additionally, actor-turned-politician Vijay's new party, TVK, is emerging as a significant third force in the elections, fielding candidates throughout the Union Territory. Chief Minister N. Rangasamy of AINRC is contesting from the Thattanchavady and Mangalam segments.
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The election outcome will determine the governance and policies affecting Puducherry residents, particularly in areas of local autonomy and administrative issues.
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