PUDUCHERRY: The Union territory of Puducherry saw a robust voter turnout on polling day on Thursday, as residents across Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam cast their votes in large numbers. The territory recorded 86% polling as of 5 pm on Thursday. It has already registered the highest voter turnout in an assembly poll since the maiden poll in 1964.Polling percentage will increase when the election machinery revises the data after the last voter casts his vote. The territory registered 82.2% polling in 2021, 84.03% in 2016, 85.52% in 2011, 85.46% in 2006 and 72.61% in 2001. Polling in the territory concluded by 6 pm on Thursday. The voters, who reached the booths before 6 pm and were waiting to cast their votes, were given tokens to exercise their democratic rights. The gates of the polling stations were closed by 6 pm.Polling was peaceful by and large, barring a few stray incidents. Police resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse clashing BJP and Congress cadres near a booth at Thirukanur govt HSS in Mannadipet constituency. The tension began when a section of Congress cadres questioned the presence of a large number of BJP cadres near the booth canvassing for the party candidate.Congress cadres directed BJP cadres to leave, leading to a wordy duel. The spat soon escalated into a physical altercation, and they started exchanging blows. A police team posted there used mild force to disperse them to restore order. Home minister A Namassivayam seeks re-election from Mannadipet. Congress has fielded former MLA TPR Selvame. PMK, NTK and TVK have also fielded candidates in this constituency.Polling at a booth in Karaikal (South) constituency was disrupted for 10 minutes due to a technical issue with a VVPAT machine. Poll officials noticed smoke emanating from the unit, caused by an overheated battery. They acted swiftly and used a fire extinguisher to douse the smoke. The officials replaced the faulty battery, following which polling resumed.Voters visiting the model polling center set up at VOC govt HSS in the town were surprised when a robot welcomed them, handing out roses and guiding them to the queues to cast their votes. Continuing his tradition, All India NR Congress (AINRC) founder and chief minister N Rangasamy rode his Yamaha RX 100 bike to a polling station in Thilaspet to cast his vote. Earlier, he performed a pooja at Appa Paithiyasami ‘temple’ and sought the blessings of his ‘spiritual’ guru. He expressed optimism that NDA will form the government for the second consecutive time.Lieutenant governor K Kailashnathan, his wife and mother cast their votes at a booth in directorate of health and family welfare.The main contest is between the AINRC-led National Democratic Alliance and the Congress-led INDIA bloc. AINRC is contesting in 16 constituencies, while its allies – BJP in 10 and AIADMK and LJK two each. Congress is contesting in 16 constituencies, while its allies – DMK in 13 and VCK in 1. There are 30 assembly constituencies in the Union territory, 23 in Puducherry, five in Karaikal and one each in Mahe and Yanam.In the 2021 assembly polls, AINRC secured 10 seats and BJP 6. AIADMK drew a blank. AINRC and BJP formed the coalition government with a simple majority of 16. On the opposition side, DMK won 6 and Congress 2. A record 6 independents were elected in the last polls.
