Polling Begins in Puducherry Assembly Elections

Polling began on Thursday in the Puducherry Assembly elections, with voters across the Union Territory and its enclaves of Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam turning out steadily to elect members for the 30-seat Legislative Assembly. The single-phase voting, which started at 7 a.m. and is scheduled to continue until 6 p.m., involves approximately 944,000 eligible voters deciding among 294 candidates from major alliances.

By 11 a.m., voter turnout had reached 37.06 percent, rising to 56.83 percent by 1 p.m., according to Election Commission of India data. Officials reported smooth operations at 1,099 polling stations, including 209 identified as vulnerable and five critical, with enhanced security measures in place. Rural areas saw particularly brisk participation, with lines forming early at booths, while urban centers experienced steady queues. Among the early voters was Chief Minister N. Rangasamy of the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC), who arrived at his polling station on his motorcycle, a tradition he has maintained since 1991. Rangasamy, contesting from Thattanchavady and Mangalam constituencies, expressed confidence after casting his ballot, stating, "In both constituencies, I...