All arrangements are in place for the smooth conduct of polling in all the 30 Assembly constituencies of Puducherry. Polling will begin tomorrow at 7 AM and continue till 6 PM. Comprising four regions – Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam – the Union Territory has a total electorate of over 9.50 lakh. Of these, 24,919 are first-time voters. A total of 294 candidates are in the fray.
Out of the 1,099 polling stations set up across Puducherry, 209 have been identified as vulnerable and five as critical. Micro-observers, along with additional Central Armed Police Forces, have been deployed at these locations to ensure peaceful polling. Special theme-based polling stations reflecting the culture and heritage of Puducherry have been set up at VOC Government Higher Secondary School, Keezhur Government Middle School and Thanthai Periyar Government Higher Secondary School in Karaikal.
In addition, 30 all-women-managed pink polling stations, 15 youth-managed stations and two polling stations managed entirely by persons with disabilities have also been established. A total of 4,836 government personnel have been deployed for election duty, supported by 2,791 police personnel and 173 micro observers. As many as 2,198 student volunteers will assist voters at polling stations. All polling stations are equipped with webcasting facilities and assured minimum amenities, including seating arrangements, electricity, ramps, signage, drinking water and toilets.
Special arrangements have been made for persons with disabilities, including wheelchairs, Braille ballot sheets and trained volunteers. Assistance is also being provided through the Saksham mobile application. A total of 12,591 postal votes have been issued. Puducherry Chief Electoral Officer P. Jawahar said that under the “Count the Carbon 2.0” initiative, efforts are being made to reduce the carbon footprint of the election process through recycling, use of eco-friendly materials and efficient resource utilisation. He expressed confidence that the voter turnout will exceed 90 per cent this time, compared to 82.2 per cent recorded in the 2021 Assembly elections.
