Puducherry, April 9 Voting commenced under tight security across the Union Territory of Puducherry on Thursday, with 9.50 lakh voters set to decide the electoral fortunes of the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc.
Voters enthusiastically lined up before the polling stations in Puducherry, as well as in its enclaves of Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam, to exercise their franchise. Voting began at 7 am.
The Union Territory has a total of 9.50 lakh voters spread across Puducherry (23 Assembly segments), Karaikal (five), Mahe, and Yanam (each with one constituency).
Women voters, numbering 5.03 lakh, outnumber men, who account for 4.46 lakh voters.
According to officials, the Union Territory has 1,099 polling stations, of which 209 have been identified as vulnerable, and a total of 294 candidates are contesting the election.
The NDA, led by the AINRC, and the INDIA bloc, comprising the Congress, DMK, and the VCK, are the two principal alliances in the race, and the entry of actor-politician Vijay's TVK has generated considerable expectations.
Another party in the race, NTK, led by actor-director Seeman, is also determined to make a mark.