Puducherry Poll Results 2026: Full Schedule, Date and Time Inside

The

election for the 30-seat Puducherry Assembly saw strong voter participation, with a record turnout of 89.83% on April 9, the highest ever in the Union Territory. This high turnout has made the contest more intense, keeping political parties and experts on edge.As people now wait for the final results, here’s a simple guide to the counting schedule and the key leaders to watch.

Puducherry Election Result 2026: Official Date and Time

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has completed all preparations for the counting of votes across the four regions: Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam.

• Counting Date: May 4, 2026 (Monday)
• Time: 8:00 AM IST
• Venue: Six designated centers, including the Women's Engineering College and Tagore Arts and Science College in Puducherry.
• Initial Trends: Likely to emerge by 10:00 AM.
• Official Results: Expected to be confirmed by late afternoon.

Chief Electoral Officer P. Jawahar has confirmed a three-tier security arrangement involving Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to ensure a transparent process.

Key Candidates and Alliances to Watch

The 2026 election is a three-way contest. The NDA, led by AINRC and BJP, is trying to stay in power for another term. The Congress-DMK alliance is aiming to make a comeback.At the same time, actor-politician Vijay’s party, TVK, is a new factor and could impact votes, especially among urban and young voters. Seats and Battles:

• Thattanchavady: Chief Minister N. Rangasamy’s stronghold, where his leadership is being tested.
• Nellithope: An important seat for Congress, as it tries to regain its old support.
• Yanam: A high-profile seat with a tough fight between major regional leaders.
• Karaikal North: A key battleground between BJP and DMK candidates.

Exit Polls and Public Sentiment

Early exit poll data and "poll of polls" suggest a tight race between the NDA and the UPA (Congress-DMK).

• NDA (AINRC+BJP): Projected to maintain a slight edge due to infrastructure projects and direct benefit transfers.
• Congress+DMK: Gaining traction on issues of full statehood and unemployment.
• TVK (Vijay): Expected to be a "spoiler" or kingmaker in closely contested urban seats.

How to Check the Result Live?

• ECI Official Website: Visit results.eci.gov.in for real-time, round-by-round updates.
• ECINET Mobile App: The official app by the Election Commission for live trends on your smartphone.
• Times Now Digital Live Blog: We will bring you the fastest updates and constituency-wise winner lists starting at 7:00 AM on May 4.