The people of Puducherry have spoken, and now the world is waiting with bated breath for the final results. In a historic first, a record 89.83% of voters turned out to cast their ballots on April 9, making this a truly one-of-a-kind election.

The counting of votes will take place on May 4, 2026, at six designated centers across the Union Territory. From 8:00 AM IST, voters will get to know who their new representatives will be. Initial trends are expected to emerge by 10:00 AM, with official results confirmed by late afternoon.

So, who are the key players in this high-stakes contest? The NDA, led by AINRC and BJP, is looking to hold onto power for another term. The Congress-DMK alliance, on the other hand, is gunning for a comeback. And then there's TVK, the new kid on the block, which could potentially be the dark horse in this election.

Thattanchavady, Nellithope, Yanam, and Karaikal North are just a few of the key constituencies to watch. In Thattanchavady, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy's leadership is being put to the test. Nellithope is an important seat for Congress, while Yanam promises to be a high-profile battleground between major regional leaders.

Early exit polls and "poll of polls" suggest a tight contest between the NDA and the UPA. The NDA is expected to maintain a slight edge due to its infrastructure projects and direct benefit transfers. Meanwhile, the Congress-DMK alliance is gaining traction on issues of full statehood and unemployment. And then there's TVK, which could be the "spoiler" or kingmaker in closely contested urban seats.