The voting in Puducherry was held on April 6, 2021. In the Union Territory where the Narayanasamy government was pulled down in February, voters chose essentially between the fronts led by the Congress and the All India NR Congress. The U.T. recorded 77.90 % polling.
In Puducherry, which has 30 constituencies, the process was by and large peaceful barring the odd complaints about temporary EVM snags in a few polling stations and minor protests over canvassing of votes near booths.
For live updates on the results of Assam | Kerala | Tamil Nadu | West Bengal
In spite of the setback to its preparations for counting today, with a significant number of polling staff testing positive for COVID-19 over the last few days, the Elections Department is geared to ensure that the process goes on smoothly and declaration of results are on schedule. While exact numbers of polling officials who will miss out on election duty after testing positive are not immediately available, the Puducherry Unified Ministerial Staff Association says that the figure is above 100.
Here are the latest updates from Puducherry.
For live updates on results of the other elections, follow Assam | Puducherry | Tamil Nadu | West Bengal.
For constituency-wise results and maps, visit Assam | Kerala| Puducherry| Tamil Nadu | West Bengal.
Counting of votes in ongoing in Puducherry. This constituency-wise map shows the rend as on 10 a.m.
Track the constituency-wise counting trends here.
All India N R Congress candidate Theni Jayakumar leads by 620 votes in Mangalam constituency.
A. Namassivayam leading in Mannadipet
Former Congress Minister A. Namassivayam who joined BJP before the Assembly polls is leading by 1,700 votes in Mannadipet constituency. A former president of Puducherry Congress, he is among the Congress MLAs who switched to BJP, which led to the collapse of Narayanaswamy government.
Congress leading in Mahe
Congress candidate Ramesh Parambath is leading by 146 votes after the end of first round of counting in Mahe Assembly constituency.
There was some confusion regarding Mr. Parambath's nomination, in March, when the election website had shown his nomination as rejected although his primary nomination affidavit had been accepted. Mahe Returning Officer Shivraj Meena had issued a press note stating that Mr. Parambath had filed two nomination papers and both the nomination papers were found in order and accepted after scrutiny.
Three counting centres in Puducherry
There are three counting centres in Puducherry region - Motilal Nehru Government Polytechnic college, the Women`s polytechnic college and the Government Tagore Arts and Science college (all in neighbouring Lawspet)-relating to the 23 segments in Puducherry.
Counting of votes would take place simultaneously in Karaikal (having five constituencies) and Mahe and Yanam regions having one segment each.
- PTI
More than 17,300 postal ballots received
Counting staff show postal ballots to agents of candidates in the Uppalam constituency in Puducherry on May 2, 2021. | Photo Credit: Ravindran R.
Chief Electoral Officer Shurbir Singh said that more than 17,300 postal ballots have been received in the whole of Union Territory.
- PTI
Counting of votes begins
Counting of votes polled in the April 6 Assembly elections in Puducherry began at 8 a.m. Counting began amid tight security and in strict adherence to the Covid protocols.
A spokesman of the Election Department here told PTI that postal ballots were taken up first for counting. This would be followed by counting of votes recorded in Electronic voting machines (EVMs) at 8.30 a.m.
There are 30 Assembly constituencies spread over Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam regions.
- PTI
Kiran Bedi was removed as Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry on February 16, 2021. Telangana Governor Tamilsai Soundararajan was given additional charge of the Union Territory. The removal of Kiran Bedi as Puducherry Lt. Governor brought to an end a tumultuous phase of confrontation between the Raj Nivas and the Congress government that played out variously as power tussles, courtroom battles, tangles over policy and a slow burn of several key schemes.
Take a look at the chart showing the overall turnout (in %) in the past 10 elections in Puducherry, coloured according to winning coalition.