Puducherry 2026 Elections: Union Territory Records Record-Breaking Voter Turnout of 86%

Robust security measures were implemented as approximately 9.50 lakh voters set out to determine the electoral fate of the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc. Women voters, totaling around 5.03 lakh, exceeded the number of male voters at 4.46 lakh, as reported by officials.

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The electorate is distributed across 30 Assembly segments—23 in Puducherry, five in Karaikal, and one each in Mahe and Yanam.

The elections are taking place at 1,099 polling stations, with 209 identified as vulnerable.

The primary contest is between the NDA, led by the All India NR Congress (AINRC), and the INDIA bloc, which includes the Indian National Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).

The entry of actor-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has raised expectations, while actor-director Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) is also aiming to increase its presence.

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A total of 294 candidates are contesting in this election.

According to data from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), 23% of candidates have disclosed criminal cases against them, while 41% are millionaires.

Among the major parties, three out of 21 Congress candidates, four out of 16 from the All India NR Congress (AINR), six out of 12 from the DMK, and five out of 10 candidates from the BJP have revealed criminal cases in their affidavits.

The NGO analyzed the affidavits of 291 out of the 294 candidates running for the 30 seats in the elections.

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