Polling in Puducherry for the 30-member Assembly began smoothly, with voters showing up steadily at booths on Thursday morning. Election officials reported a calm start without major disruptions in the early hours. Voting started at 7 a.m. across 1,099 polling stations and will continue until 6 p.m., with authorities confident of a peaceful and well-managed process throughout the day.
The ongoing election in Puducherry is significant as the Union Territory is currently governed by a coalition led by the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC), under Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, with support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A keen contest is anticipated, with major political groups competing for control. Chief Electoral Officer P. Jawahar assured comprehensive preparations for a free and fair poll.
A total of 4,836 polling personnel, backed by 2,791 police officers and 30 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), are deployed to maintain law and order. Security measures have been heightened, especially in sensitive areas, with 209 polling stations identified as vulnerable and five as critical, under close surveillance by micro-observers and CAPF personnel.
Extensive measures have been taken to enhance voter convenience, including the deployment of around 2,000 student volunteers at polling booths to assist senior citizens and persons with disabilities, ensuring inclusive participation. Enforcement teams under the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) seized suspected inducements worth approximately Rs 8.4 crore during the campaign period, indicating robust monitoring mechanisms.
Surveillance teams continued operations post-campaigning to prevent violations. Election officials confirmed that necessary arrangements were in place for voters to exercise their franchise without difficulty. With a voter turnout of over 82% in the 2021 Assembly elections, officials are optimistic about higher participation levels, reflecting strong public engagement in the electoral process.
