Vote counting in the Union Territory of Puducherry entered its final stages on Monday, with the ruling All India N. R. Congress leading the race and heading towards a second consecutive term in office.

As of 4:00 p.m., the AINRC had secured nine seats, while its ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party, won key constituencies including Mannadipet and Neravy–T.R. Pattinam. Meanwhile, Nellithope shifted from the BJP to the Dravida Munetra Kazhagam.

Chief Minister N. Rangasamy retained his Thattanchavady seat with a comfortable margin. The AINRC-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which also includes the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, had won 12 of the 30 Assembly seats at the time of reporting.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) opened its account in the Puducherry Assembly elections by securing two seats on Monday.

Party candidates B. Ramu and Sai J. Saravanan Kumar registered victories from the Manavely and Thirubuvanai constituencies respectively, marking an early electoral breakthrough for the fledgling outfit.

The elections, held in April, saw 294 candidates contest across 30 constituencies spread over Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. Counting was conducted at six centres across the Union Territory.

The NDA faced a challenge from the INDIA bloc, comprising the Congress, DMK and the VCK. With results nearing completion, the AINRC-led alliance appeared set to retain power in the coastal territory bordering Tamil Nadu.