Puducherry 2026 Assembly Polls Record 89.83% Turnout; Counting Set for May 4

Puducherry's 2026 Assembly elections have turned into a closely watched contest, with a record voter turnout of 89.83 per cent, several razor-thin contests, and the entry of new political players adding unpredictability. Counting is set for May 4 for all 30 seats. The main contest is between the ruling AINRC-BJP-led NDA and the Congress-DMK alliance, with several high-profile leaders contesting from key constituencies that could decide the government.

Heavyweights to watch out for include N Rangasamy (AINRC) contesting from Thattanchavady and Mangalam. He is the chief minister of Puducherry and founder of AINRC, having served multiple terms as CM (2001–2008, 2011–2016, and since 2021). Thattanchavady is seen as a key battleground.

V Vaithilingam (Congress) from Thattanchavady is a former chief minister (1991–96, 2008–11) and senior Congress leader, directly contesting against CM Rangasamy in a key seat.

A Namassivayam (BJP) from Mannadipet is the state's home minister and senior BJP leader, a key NDA face contesting from an important rural constituency.

R Siva (DMK) from Villianur is the Leader of Opposition and senior DMK leader, a key figure in the Congress-DMK alliance campaign.

VP Ramalingam (BJP) from Raj Bhavan is the Puducherry BJP president and a nominated MLA in the Assembly, appointed to the House in 2021 after joining the BJP. He later rose to become the party's state unit chief in 2025 and is considered one of the key organisational figures of the party in the Union Territory.

AMH Nazeem (DMK) from Karaikal South is a veteran DMK leader with long experience in the Karaikal region, an important opposition candidate.

A Johnkumar (BJP) from Mudaliarpet is a cabinet minister and former Congress leader, representing the BJP in Puducherry after switching parties ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections. He is a key NDA candidate and has previously won Assembly elections from Puducherry constituencies, including as a Congress MLA.

R Senthilkumar (DMK) from Bahour is a sitting DMK MLA from a rural constituency that has seen close contests in recent elections. He represents the DMK in a seat that the party won in 2021 with a narrow margin, making it one of its key constituencies in the Union Territory.

C Aiyappan (AINRC) from Ariankuppam is a senior AINRC leader and sitting MLA from a coastal constituency in Puducherry. He has been associated with the party's organisational base in the region and is contesting again from this seat.

PRN Thirumurugan (AINRC) from Karaikal North is a three-time winner and senior AINRC leader, having represented Karaikal North in multiple Assembly terms and is one of the party's experienced faces in the Karaikal region.