Puducherry: Voting for 30 Assembly constituencies in Puducherry and its enclaves of Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam concluded at 6 pm on Thursday. Voters who arrived before the deadline were allowed to cast their ballots, officials said.

According to initial estimates, more than 86 per cent of the 9.5 lakh electorate had exercised their franchise, reflecting a steady turnout from polling’s start at 7 am.

The ruling NDA is seeking to retain power, while the opposition Congress-led bloc aims to wrest control from the AINRC-led front, focusing its campaign on local autonomy and administrative issues.

Tensions flare briefly at Mannadipet booth

Polling in Mannadipet Assembly Constituency saw a brief clash between BJP and Congress workers, police sources reported.

At a booth in Tirukanoor village, Congress workers objected to the presence of BJP supporters, insisting that only voters should be near the polling station. Heated arguments escalated into a physical altercation. Police intervened, using canes to disperse the crowd and restore order. Polling continued without further disruption.

Puducherry Home Minister A Namassivayam (BJP) is contesting from Mannadipet, while former Deputy Speaker T P R Selvam is running on a Congress ticket.

Robot greets voters at model polling station

In a lighter moment, a robot carrying flower petals welcomed voters at a model booth in VOC Government Higher Secondary School in Raj Bhavan constituency.

The robot, moving along the corridor, greeted visitors and encouraged them to vote. “This innovative arrangement delighted visitors, who appreciated the robot’s voice messages urging them to vote and help achieve 100 per cent polling,” District Election Officer A Kulothungan told PTI.

The booth, equipped with multiple voting compartments, is part of the Election Department’s efforts to enhance voter engagement. A senior voter said such an initiative had not been seen before and would motivate people to participate in the democratic process.