Puducherry has posted its highest-ever voter turnout in an Assembly election, with polling touching 91.23%, according to information cited by political observers. The figure is described as the highest since the Union Territory’s first Assembly election in 1969.
Observers said one major factor was unusually intense election spending and distribution of cash and household items over an extended period. They also pointed to reports of cash being given per vote, additional amounts calculated per ration card, and the circulation of coupons or tokens promising gifts after the election.
A second factor, they noted, was fear among voters that candidates might question those who accepted money or goods but did not vote, or even seek to recover what was given. This, they claimed, led to groups of voters turning up to cast ballots.
Third, observers highlighted higher participation by young and first-time voters, with many arriving early at polling stations. They attributed part of this increased interest to heightened political engagement among youth, linking it to actor Vijay and the party he launched.
They further cited the impact of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, under which 1,03,467 names were removed, including deceased voters, those who had moved or were not found at home, and duplicate entries. Alongside this, some voters reportedly feared that not voting could lead to deletion from the rolls and affect access to government welfare benefits, while officials’ sustained awareness drives and election-duty efforts were also listed as key contributors.
