नवीनतम
Puducherry records 56.83 pc voter turnout till 1 pm
PUDUCHERRY [Maha Media]: Brisk polling was witnessed in Puducherry on Thursday with 56.83 percent t of the electorate casting their votes till 1 pm.
As the NDA is fighting to retain power, the opposition Congress-led bloc is pushing to wrest power from the AINRC-led front in the union territory, centering its campaign on local autonomy and administrative friction.
From the moment voting began at 7 am, there was a steady rise in voter turnout.
As the NDA is fighting to retain power, the opposition bloc is pushing to wrest power from the AINRC-led front in the union territory, centering its campaign on local autonomy and administrative friction.
The election assumes significance as the Union Territory is currently governed by a coalition led by the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC), headed by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, with support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
A keen contest is expected, with all major political formations vying for control. Chief Electoral Officer P. Jawahar said the administration had made comprehensive preparations to ensure a free and fair poll.
A total of 4,836 polling personnel have been deployed, supported by 2,791 police personnel and 30 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to maintain law and order.
Security arrangements have been intensified, particularly in sensitive areas. As many as 209 polling stations have been identified as vulnerable and five as critical. These locations are under strict surveillance, with micro-observers and CAPF personnel deployed to monitor proceedings closely.
Officials also highlighted extensive measures taken to enhance voter convenience.
Around 2,000 student volunteers have been stationed at polling booths to assist senior citizens and persons with disabilities, ensuring inclusive participation in the democratic process.
In the run-up to polling, enforcement teams maintained strict vigilance under the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Authorities seized suspected inducements worth approximately Rs 8.4 crore during the campaign period. This included gold and other precious metals valued at Rs 6.7 crore, Rs 77 lakh in cash, and liquor worth Rs 68 lakh, indicating robust monitoring mechanisms.
Despite the end of campaigning on Tuesday evening, surveillance teams continued their operations to prevent any violations.
Election officials stated that all necessary arrangements had been put in place to ensure that voters could exercise their franchise without difficulty.
With a voter turnout of over 82 per cent recorded in the 2021 Assembly elections, officials expressed optimism that participation could exceed previous levels, reflecting strong public engagement in the electoral process.
