The Puducherry assembly elections have been marked by a high level of voter engagement, with a record turnout of 89.83%. This election is being closely watched as a test for the ruling NDA, led by the AINRC, which is seeking a second straight term. The Congress-led SPA is aiming for a comeback, while TVK has emerged as a new force in several constituencies.

The constituency of Thattanchavady is one of the most high-profile in Puducherry, where Chief Minister N Rangasamy (AINRC) is defending his stronghold against a major challenge from former Chief Minister V Vaithilingam from Congress. The voter turnout in this constituency rose to 82.44% compared to 76.89% in 2021.

Another closely contested constituency is Mannadipet, a semi-urban area with strong agrarian influence. The main fight is between A Namassivayam of BJP and TPR Selvame of Congress, with K Bharathidasan of TVK also contesting. The seat has a history of narrow victories, and in 2026, it recorded a high turnout of 93.59%.

The Raj Bhavan constituency saw a major political shift after the exit of veteran leader K Lakshminarayanan. The BJP fielded state president VP Ramalingam, while the Congress (SPA) nominated Vignesh Kannan. TVK has fielded former IPS officer VJ Chandran. The turnout in this constituency rose significantly to 87.89% from 72.5% in 2021.

The outcome of the Puducherry assembly elections will have significant implications for the political landscape of the Union Territory. Exit polls have projected an advantage for the NDA, but the final results will be clear only after the counting begins on Monday morning. The unique characteristics of each constituency, combined with the high voter turnout, will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of this high-stakes contest.