Counting Underway Amidst High Voter Turnout
Counting for the Puducherry Assembly elections began today, May 4, 2026, across six centres in the Union Territory. Early trends indicate a lead for the AINRC-led NDA alliance, a coalition that includes the BJP, AIADMK, and the Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK). This marks the potential for the NDA to secure a second consecutive term in power.
The election, held across 30 Assembly constituencies, saw a record turnout of 89.87 per cent, the highest since 1964. Postal ballots are being counted first, with trends suggesting the NDA's advantage.
Key Contests and Exit Poll Projections
A significant battleground was the Thattanchavady constituency, where incumbent Chief Minister N. Rangasamy faced off against Congress leader V. Vaithilingam, a former two-term chief minister and the current MP for the Union Territory's sole Lok Sabha seat. Rangasamy is seeking his fifth term as Chief Minister, and a second consecutive term as an NDA CM.
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Exit polls from various agencies, including Peoples Pulse, Praja Poll, Kamakhya Analytics, and Axis My India, had largely predicted an AINRC win. Projections varied, with some suggesting the AINRC could secure between 16 to 19 seats, while others placed them significantly higher at 19 to 25 seats. A party needs 16 seats to form a majority in the 30-member Assembly. The Congress alliance was projected to win between 6 to 12 seats in these forecasts.
Electoral Landscape
The election campaign culminated after extensive rallies and public engagement, with Chief Minister Rangasamy notably offering prayers at the Appa Paithiyasamy temple ahead of the results. Security measures were heightened at the counting centres, including the Women's Engineering College in Lawspet and the Motilal Nehru Government Polytechnic College, to ensure a smooth and transparent process.
The NDA's performance in Puducherry is being watched alongside results from other key state assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Kerala, which are also being announced today. The overall electoral outcomes across these states are anticipated to shape the political narrative in the coming period.
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