Puducherry Assembly Elections 2026 | Voter turnout nears 90% in poll-bound Union Territory

People in the Union Territory of Puducherry came out in droves on Thursday to exercise their franchise in the assembly elections, registering a turnout of a record 89.65 per cent. While Puducherry region registered 90.25 per cent polling, followed by Karaikal district at 86.65 per cent. 

Though the voting per centage almost touched 90 per cent, looking at absolute numbers reveal a different picture as the number of people voted in the 2026 elections could be just a little higher than 2021 elections as six per cent of voters were removed during the Special Intensive Revision. The UT had recorded 83.4 per cent in 2021 polls. 

The polling percentage might be revised as officers are yet to send the final percentage in their polling stations.

Sources in the Chief Electoral Officer, Puducherry said there was no untoward incident during the single-phase polling, which was very peaceful. One of the key attractions at a polling booth was Nila, a robot, which assisted voters to exercise their franchise – several voters were seen interacted with the machine.

Officials said as many as 4,836 officers and 2,791 security personnel were deployed for the conduct of polls. 

The April 9 contest will decide whether the AINRC-BJP can retain the outgoing government’s welfare edge or the Congress-DMK alliance can capitalize on the anti-incumbency. Or will the TVK from neighbouring Tamil Nadu spring a surprise?

The Congress has put the hitherto cohesive alliance in peril: Its candidates are taking on the DMK and the VCK in six constituencies, which is likely to help the AINRC-BJP alliance. Winning margins are usually slender due to the size of the electorate, as constituencies are the size of bigger cities’ corporation wards.

While the results hinge more on personal equations, local loyalties, micro-alliances, and caste factors, issues do matter. Money also plays a major role: “Cash for votes” is no secret in Puducherry, like in TN.