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EC Allots 'Torch Light' Symbol to Makkal Needhi Maiam for Puducherry Polls

The Election Commission of India has allotted the "Torch Light" symbol to the Makkal Needhi Maiam party for the upcoming 2026 Puducherry Legislative Assembly elections. A high-level team of Deputy Election Commissioners is currently in Chennai and Puducherry to review logistical and operational preparedness for the polls. Meanwhile, political activity is intensifying in Tamil Nadu, with the state Congress president stating that alliance and seat-sharing decisions will be guided by the party's central leadership. Congress MP Manickam Tagore has noted the party is awaiting the formation of a committee by its ally, the DMK, to begin formal discussions on the alliance for the 234-seat assembly.

Key Points: Torch Light Symbol Allotted to MNM for 2026 Puducherry Elections

  • EC allots Torch Light symbol to MNM
  • Poll team reviews preparedness in Chennai & Puducherry
  • Congress awaits DMK committee for alliance talks
  • Focus on seat-sharing for 2026 Assembly elections
2 min read

EC allots 'Torch Light' symbol to Makkal Needhi Maiam ahead of Puducherry assembly elections

Election Commission prepares for 2026 polls, allotting symbol to Makkal Needhi Maiam as alliance talks intensify in Tamil Nadu.

"A team of officials from the Election Commission has reached Chennai and Puducherry to review the poll preparedness. - Maneesh Garg"

Puducherry, February 17

The Election Commission of India has issued a notification allotting the "Torch Light" symbol to the Makkal Needhi Maiam for the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections in Puducherry.

The notification comes as the poll body intensifies preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. On February 11, a seven-member team of Deputy Election Commissioners arrived at Chennai International Airport to review poll preparedness. The delegation includes Bhanwar Prakash, Manish Garg, Pawan Kumar Sharma, Sanjay Kumar and Ashish Goyal, along with other senior officials.

Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Maneesh Garg told reporters, "A team of officials from the Election Commission has reached Chennai and Puducherry to review the poll preparedness." The team is assessing the readiness of election machinery, including logistics, personnel deployment and coordination with local authorities in both regions.

Meanwhile, political activity has intensified in Tamil Nadu with alliance discussions underway. Congress Tamil Nadu president K Selvaperunthagai on Tuesday said that decisions regarding the Assembly elections would be taken by the All India Congress Committee (AICC). "Whatever the AICC decides, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee will follow. It is very intact (relationship with Congress and DMK)," he said, adding that seat-sharing talks would be handled by the central leadership.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore has stated that the party is awaiting the formation of a committee by its ally, the DMK, to discuss alliance matters. He said that 70 days had passed since the assurance was given and expressed hope that the party would receive due respect in the alliance. In a post on X, Tagore also raised questions about seat distribution and power-sharing.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has 234 seats. In the 2021 elections, the DMK-Congress alliance secured 151 seats, with the DMK emerging as the leading party. With the ECI stepping up preparations and parties finalising strategies, the focus has shifted to coordination and seat-sharing arrangements ahead of the 2026 polls.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
MNM getting a symbol is fine, but the real story is the Congress-DMK alliance. 70 days and still waiting for a committee? Shows a lack of respect for the junior partner. Manickam Tagore is right to speak up. Strong alliances need clear communication, not delays.
A
Aman W
The EC team's review is crucial for free and fair polls. Logistics and personnel deployment in both TN and Puducherry need to be flawless. Hope they are also focusing on curbing fake news and money power, which have become big issues. 👍
S
Sarah B
Interesting to follow Indian electoral preparations from abroad. The symbol allocation system is quite unique. The 'Torch Light' seems apt for a party whose name translates to 'People's Justice Centre'. Wishing for a smooth electoral process.
K
Karthik V
With due respect, the article feels like it's mixing two stories - symbol allocation for a small party in Puducherry and the major alliance drama in Tamil Nadu. The MNM news is a minor procedural update. The real political heat is in Chennai, not Pondy.
N
Nisha Z
As a voter from Tamil Nadu, my only request to all parties is: please finalize your alliances and candidates early. Last-minute changes and confusion only benefit the bigger players. We need time to understand manifestos and make an informed choice.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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