Puducherry Assembly election: Congress requests Election Commission to reconsider poll schedule

The Puducherry Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) has requested the Election Commission of India (ECI) to reconsider the Assembly election schedule for the Union Territory.

In a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner, MP and chief of PPCC V. Vaithilingam has contended the Commission’s decision to hold the elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on different dates would create problems for campaigning and conduct of polls in the Union Territory.

The ECI has shown a “hurry” to hold the polls in Puducherry on April 9, 2026 while scheduling the polling date for Tamil Nadu on April 23. The Commission should disclose the reason for showing hurry in conducting the polls in Puducherry on April 9 when the tenure of the current Assembly would end only on June 15, Mr. Vaithilingam said.

“Two different polling dates for Puducherry and Tamil Nadu will create problems such as unnecessary staying of outsiders in the name of campaigning, impersonation of voters, disruption of polling and law and order issues. Therefore, we request the Commission to hold the elections in Union Territory along with Tamil Nadu,” the memorandum said.

If the polling was going to be held as per the schedule already announced, the Commission should ensure people from Puducherry who are working in Tamil Nadu would get paid leave to exercise their franchise in Puducherry, he said.