Puducherry is set to vote today from 7 a.m. for all 30 seats of its Legislative Assembly. A total of 10,14,070 electors are eligible to exercise their franchise. The electorate includes 5,39,125 female voters, 4,74,788 male voters, and 157 voters in the third gender category.Among the voters, 24,156 belong to the 18–19 age group, while 6,034 are senior citizens aged 85 and above.Speaking with ANI, Puducherry Chief Electoral Officer P. Jawahar outlined the preparations for the polls. He stated that 110 sector officers have been deployed across 1,099 polling stations, of which 209 have been identified as vulnerable and are under the protection of Central Armed Police Forces.He added that drones, flying squads, and helplines are being used to monitor violations. The Election Department, through district and returning officers, has made extensive arrangements to ensure smooth conduct. Polling parties and materials are being dispatched on time, with operations monitored using drones and sector officers.On security, multi-layered measures have been implemented. Vulnerable polling stations are guarded by central forces along with local police to prevent incidents. Strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct is in place during the 48-hour silence period, with campaigning banned, liquor outlets closed, and inducements closely monitored.Technology is playing a crucial role, especially in remote regions like Mahe and Yanam. Drone feeds from these areas are being monitored live in 4K quality to ensure transparency and security.The contest in Puducherry involves the ruling NDA, which includes the All India N R Congress (AINRC) and the BJP, along with other allies. The Congress-DMK alliance is also a major contender. Actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is attempting to make the contest triangular.The NDA comprises AINRC, led by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, contesting 16 seats, the BJP contesting 10 seats, and AIADMK and LJK contesting two seats each. On the other hand, the INDIA bloc includes Congress, contesting 16 seats, and DMK, contesting 14 seats.The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), part of the Secular Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu, has decided to contest independently in three seats after being offered only one.During campaigning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the Congress-DMK alliance, accusing it of promoting dynastic politics and lacking focus on governance. He also pointed to internal conflicts within the opposition.In response, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Puducherry government is “imposed from Delhi” and does not reflect the will of the people. He also accused the BJP of failing to grant full statehood and encouraging corruption in the Union Territory.Meanwhile, TVK chief Vijay launched a strong attack on both alliances, calling the AINRC-BJP combine “tired” and the Congress-DMK alliance “confused.” He argued that voting for either would be a “waste” and stressed the need for better governance.In the 2021 Puducherry Assembly elections, AINRC emerged as the largest party with 10 seats. DMK won six seats, while BJP and Congress secured six seats each. The voter turnout stood at 84.8 percent.In the 2016 elections, Congress had won a majority with 15 seats, followed by AINRC with eight seats, AIADMK with four, and DMK with two seats. The voter turnout was recorded at 83.6 percent.The current term of the 30-member Legislative Assembly is set to expire on June 15. The Election Commission of India has announced that the counting of votes will take place on May 4.
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इरान ने लेबनान पर इज़राइल के हमलों के जवाब में हॉर्मूज को बंद कर दिया है।
इरान, अमेरिका और इज़राइल ने मंगलवार को दो सप्ताह के लिए एक अस्थायी शांति समझौते पर हस्ताक्षर किए,…
