Tamil Nadu, Puducherry all set for Assembly polls, election schedule to be announced today
New Delhi, March 15
Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory Puducherry are set to hold the 2026 Assembly Elections along with three more states, with the Election Commission of India on Sunday set to announce the schedule of the polls later today.
Elections will be held for the 234 seats of the Tamil Nadu Assembly with incumbent chief minster MK Stalin-led Secular Progressive Alliance seeking a second consecutive term pitted against the BJP-AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance.
Puducherry will hold elections for all 30 constituencies of the 16th Puducherry Legislative Assembly. The Congress is contesting in an alliance with DMK and CPI while the opposition comprises of the All India NR Congress, BJP and the AIADMK.
In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) won with 133 seats. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) followed with 66 seats. Congress stood at 18 seats. The state saw a voter turnout of 76.6 per cent.
Prior to that, in the 2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections, AIADMK took the lead with 134 seats, DMK won 89 seats, followed by Congress at 8 seats. The voter turnout was 73.6 per cent.
In the 2021 Puducherry Assembly Elections, the All India N. R. Congress (AINRC) led with 10 seats. DMK got 6 seats, followed by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress at 6 seats each. The voter turnout was 84.8 per cent.
Before that, in the 2016 Puducherry Assembly Elections, Congress won with 15 seats, followed by AINRC at 8 seats, AIADMK at 4 seats and DMK at 2 seats. The voter turnout was 83.6 per cent.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India reviewed poll preparedness for the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Pudducherry previously this month.
According to a release, the Election Commission appointed Central Observers under the plenary powers conferred on it by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to assist the Commission in the conduct of free and fair polls. They also oversee the efficient and effective management of the electoral process at the field level.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a resident of Puducherry, the alliance math is confusing this time. Congress with DMK, BJP with AINRC and AIADMK... Voters need clear manifestos. The high turnout last time shows people care, but we need results on the ground, especially for tourism and infrastructure.
The BJP's attempt to make deeper inroads in TN will be the big story. The NDA alliance with AIADMK is crucial for them. But Tamil Nadu has its own strong political identity. It's not easy for national parties here. Let's see if the Modi factor works at the state level.
Interesting to see the historical data. The swing between DMK and AIADMK is significant. Voter turnout is impressively high, which is great for democracy. I hope the EC ensures a completely smooth and fair process. Free and fair elections are the bedrock.
With all due respect to the electoral process, I feel the article just states facts. The real discussion should be about the quality of governance delivered. Did the last government reduce corruption? Improve schools and hospitals? That's what we should be debating, not just seat numbers.
Puducherry is such a small but fascinating place politically! The mix of cultures reflects in its politics too. Hope the new MLA's work on preserving its unique French heritage while solving local issues like beach erosion and better connectivity with Chennai.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.