Voting began in Puducherry on Thursday, with around 9.5 lakh voters set to decide the fate of the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc. Polling commenced at 7 am across Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam, with voters queuing up at polling stations from early morning.
The Union Territory has 1,099 polling stations, of which 209 have been identified as vulnerable. A total of 294 candidates are in the fray, with the NDA, led by All India N.R. Congress, and the INDIA bloc, comprising the Indian National Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, as the main contenders. The entry of Vijay’s TVK and Seeman’s NTK has added further interest to the contest.
Women voters account for 5.03 lakh of the total electorate, surpassing 4.46 lakh male voters in Puducherry. Polling is being conducted across 1,099 stations, including 209 identified as vulnerable, with multi-layered security deployment in place to ensure orderly and peaceful voting.
