DMK plea to hold Puducherry polls with T.N. on April 23

The DMK in Puducherry has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct the 2026 Assembly elections in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu concurrently, instead of separately as has been scheduled now.

In a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner, DMK convenor and Leader of Opposition, R. Siva appealed to the ECI to align the Puducherry Assembly election with the polling date of Tamil Nadu of April 23.

The memorandum pointed out that as per ECI schedule for four States and the Union Territory, the polling date for Puducherry has been scheduled along with Kerala and Assam on April 9, while Tamil Nadu goes to polls on April 23.

The memorandum said it was pertinent to note that, historically, general elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have largely been conducted on the same day and the departure from the convention has come as an unexpected development for the people of the region.

Pointing out that the tenure of the current Puducherry Legislative Assembly extends till June 15, 2026, the DMK sought a clarification on the urgency in advancing the election schedule for the Union Territory.

It also drew attention to the fact that 28 of the 30 Assembly constituencies in Puducherry are geographically located within Tamil Nadu. “Under such circumstances, conducting polling on two separate dates may create challenges, including the movement of external elements under the pretext of campaigning, risks of voter impersonation, potential disruption of polling, and concerns relating to law and order”, the memorandum stated.

Should the Commission proceed with the scheduled polling date for Puducherry of April 9, which falls on a working day in Tamil Nadu, it is requested that necessary directions be issued to ensure that Puducherry residents employed in Tamil Nadu are granted paid leave by the concerned authorities in government, quasi-government, and private institutions, in accordance with applicable laws.

Additionally, candidates intending to contest the election require sufficient time to file their nominations and related documents. It is also noted that there are two holidays during the nomination filing period.

“In this regard, we request the Election Commission of India to provide a clear and reasonable timeline for the nomination process to ensure smooth and fair participation of all prospective candidates,” the memorandum said.