People waiting to cast their votes at Immaculate Heart of Mary Girls Higher Secondary School in Puducherry on Thursday | Photo Credit: RAGU R
Puducherry created electoral history, recording an all-time high voter turnout of 89.87 per cent as at 8 pm. in the Assembly elections - thus beating the 86 per cent polled in 2006.
The Union Territory after creating the voting record in 2006, saw the percentage decline to 85.12 in 2011; reduce further to 81.94 per cent in 2016 before bouncing back in 2021 election with 82.2 per cent and create a new record created this year.
The demand for statehood and lack of infrastructure emerged as central issues in the elections. At the ground level, residents point to limited anti-incumbency against Chief Minister N Rangasamy, though internal dissatisfaction within party ranks persisted. I
The increased polling percentage this year is a sign that more people are showing interest in the elections and its outcome, said socio-political analyst Ramu Manivannan. There is no prominent wave or intense mobilisation to suggest any major shift. The binding desire for Statehood and more resources for Pondicherry will keep the NR Congress - formed by Rangasamy - and BJP alliance in hunt for power, he added.
Voting began on a strong note in the Union Territory, with the voter turnout reaching 17.43 per cent by 9 am and rising sharply to 37.05 per cent by 11 am, according to the Election Commission of India.
All 30 Assembly seats in the Union Territory went to the polls; the UT is currently governed by a coalition led by the All India N. R. Congress under Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, with support from the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy arrives on a motorcycle to cast his vote at a polling station in the Union Territory | Photo Credit: R SENTHILKUMAR
The Union Territory has around 9.5 lakh registered voters, distributed across 23 constituencies in Puducherry, five in Karaikal, and one each in Mahe and Yanam. Women voters, numbering 5.03 lakh, outnumber men at 4.46 lakh. A total of 294 candidates are contesting the election.
The main contest is between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition INDIA bloc, which includes the Indian National Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Adding a new dimension to the race is the entry of actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, which has generated enthusiasm among young voters.
#WATCH | Puducherry CM and All India NR Congress (AINRC) candidate from Mangalam and Thattanchavady assembly constituency, N Rangaswamy, leaves on his bike after casting his vote for the Puducherry Assembly Elections. pic.twitter.com/6X7TJFanED
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2026
Chief Minister Rangasamy continued his tradition of arriving on a motorcycle to cast his vote at a polling station in Lawspet.
Published on April 9, 2026