Puducherry Assembly Election 2026: Vijay's TVK Urges Voters To Turn Out As Polling Nears Close

TVK And Puducherry Election 2026: Polling for the Puducherry Assembly Election 2026 is underway across the Union Territory on April 9, with voting having begun at 7 a.m. and continuing through the day under tight security arrangements. With only a few hours remaining before polling concludes in the evening, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-politician Vijay, appealed to voters to remain vigilant and participate in the electoral process.

In a post shared on its official X handle around 12:28 p.m., TVK urged citizens of Puducherry to exercise their franchise before the close of polling, noting that only limited time remained. The appeal comes as voter turnout is being closely tracked across regions including Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.

According to a report by PTI, nearly 9.50 lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes in this election. The electorate is spread across 30 Assembly segments, including 23 in Puducherry, five in Karaikal, and one each in Mahe and Yanam. Officials have set up 1,099 polling stations, with 209 identified as vulnerable, and security arrangements have been put in place accordingly.

Voters were seen queuing up outside polling booths from early morning, indicating steady participation. Women voters, numbering around 5.03 lakh, outnumber male voters, who account for approximately 4.46 lakh. A total of 294 candidates are in the fray, representing various political parties and alliances.

Puducherry Assembly Elections 2026: TVK Fields 28 Candidates

The main contest in the Union Territory is between the NDA, led by the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC), and the opposition INDIA bloc comprising the Congress, DMK and VCK. The entry of Vijay's TVK has added a new dimension to the electoral landscape, with the party fielding candidates across constituencies. Actor-director Seeman's Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) is also contesting, aiming to expand its presence.

As reported earlier by The Hindu, the TVK has fielded 28 candidates in the election, including several leaders with prior legislative experience. Among them are V. Saminathan, contesting from Lawspet, and A.K. Sai J. Saravanan Kumar from Thirubhuvanai, both of whom have previously held significant political roles. Other candidates include former legislators from parties such as the BJP, AIADMK and Congress, as well as a sitting Independent MLA.

With polling progressing through the afternoon, election officials continue to monitor turnout and ensure orderly conduct. The results of the election are expected to shape the political direction of Puducherry for the coming term.