English
May 19: The counting of votes for the Puducherry Assembly elections has begun. Soon, the latest trend and the shift in votes will be made available. The vote-counting process will to go on for the next four hours, during which the latest data will show up here on India.com. The Election Commission will announce the final of the Assembly elections latest by 3 PM.
The political parties are anxiously waiting for results. While the Congress-DMK alliance seems hopeful, with exit polls and their own survey showing results in their favour. The incumbent All India NR Congress (AINRC) reject the validity of the exit polls are expecting to return to power once again.
The voter turnout in Puducherry has been very impressive, with more than half of the electorate comprising of women. At 81.94%, the total turnout was 9.41 lac out of which 4.94 lacs were women voters. The incumbent Chief Minister N. Rangasamy had appealed to both men and women, by offering free washing machines and set top boxes in his party manifesto. He had made similar promises the last time, but failed to fulfil them. His rival, Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister V Vaithilingam has gained ground over the growing anti-incumbency.
R angasamy is contesting from the Indira Nagar constituency and while Vaithilingam of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), Pondicherry (regional wing of the Indian National Congress), is contesting from Kamaraj Nagar. Other major political parties fielding candidates include, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP).
A total number of 344 candidates, including 96 independents contested the elections from four districts; Puducherry, Mahe, Yanam and Karaikal.
To secure their victory in the Puducherry Assembly elections, Congress entered an alliance with the DMK, contesting in 21 seats, leaving the rest for it Southern partner. They are the only two parties to form an alliance. All the other parties will be contesting solo and have nominated their candidates in all 30 segments of the UT.
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