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The Union Territory of Puducherry is gearing up for its assembly polls on Thursday, April 9. With a significant turnout expected, Chief Electoral Officer P. Jawahar has informed the media that the election machinery anticipates over 90% polling in 2026. In comparison, the territory recorded 82.2% polling in the previous 2021 assembly elections.
Voter Details and Polling Booths
Polling will commence at 7 AM, with 294 candidates contesting across 30 constituencies. This includes 23 in Puducherry, five in Karaikal, and one each in Mahe and Yanam. The total voter population stands at 9.5 lakh, comprising 5.03 lakh women, 4.46 lakh men, and 140 third-gender individuals.
There are 1,099 polling booths established, featuring 30 all-women polling booths, 15 youth-managed booths, and two booths dedicated to individuals with disabilities. Notably, two unique booths are set up in heritage buildings within the territory.
Political Landscape and Contesting Parties
The All India NR Congress (AINRC)-led NDA coalition is seeking a second consecutive term in power. This alliance comprises the BJP, AIADMK, and LJK. AINRC will contest in 16 seats while BJP will field candidates in 10 seats, with AIADMK and LJK contesting two each. In response, the Congress-led INDIA bloc is determined to reclaim power, with candidates in 16 seats for Congress, 13 for DMK, and one for VCK.
Election Security and Monitoring
In the run-up to the elections, officials have seized valuables and cash worth Rs 8.4 crore, which were intended to sway voters. Moreover, nine government employees have been suspended for their involvement in political activities, with additional actions taken against another nine.
International Observation and Community Engagement
A delegation of nine officials from six nations—including Kyrgyzstan, Ivory Coast, Moldova, Mongolia, Guyana, and Bhutan—have come to Puducherry to observe the polling process at select stations, highlighting the significance of this event.
Combating Misinformation
To tackle misinformation, the election department has launched the Meipporul 2.0 app, encouraging citizens to “Think, verify and act.” So far, 113 misleading social media posts have been removed by the cybersecurity wing. Additionally, the department has successfully resolved 76 out of 84 complaints within a 100-minute timeframe using the C-Vigil app.
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