Puducherry is all set to go to the polls on Thursday, April 9, with voting scheduled from 7 AM to 6 PM across 1,099 polling stations in the Union Territory and its enclaves of Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam. Over 9.5 lakh voters will decide the fate of 294 candidates contesting 30 Assembly seats. Special arrangements have been made for first-time voters, senior citizens, and differently-abled citizens, including volunteers, wheelchairs, Braille ballots, and assistance through the Saksham mobile application.Security and monitoringThe Election Commission has deployed drone surveillance to monitor electoral malpractice, which has already led to the seizure of Rs 77.25 lakh in cash and Rs 68.5 lakh in liquor allegedly intended to influence voters. Security deployment includes 4,836 government personnel, 2,791 police staff, 173 micro-observers, and 2,198 student volunteers. Special polling stations include 30 managed entirely by women, 15 by young officers, and two entirely by persons with disabilities. All stations are equipped with seating, drinking water, toilets, ramps, signage, and webcasting facilities to ensure a smooth and transparent voting process.Key contestants and alliancesThe elections will witness a fierce battle between the ruling NDA alliance, comprising NR Congress, BJP, AIADMK, and LJK, and the opposition Congress-DMK bloc. Chief minister N Rangasamy, leading the AINRC, is contesting from Thattanchavady and Mangalam, while actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has emerged as a significant third force, introducing unpredictability in several constituencies. Other parties, including CPI, CPI(M), and Naam Tamizhar Katchi, are also fielding candidates.Also read: Full candidate list for Puducherry pollsMajor issues shaping pollsOne of the central issues is Puducherry’s long-standing demand for full statehood, with the ruling NDA claiming alignment with the Centre ensures smoother governance. The opposition argues that administrative friction with the Lieutenant Governor has limited the Union Territory’s autonomy, making this election a de facto referendum on “lost powers.” Economic concerns, including rising living costs, unemployment, and the proposed privatisation of the electricity department, are also front and centre. The ruling alliance is relying on welfare schemes and subsidies to retain voter trust, while the opposition is highlighting economic challenges and the need for better job opportunities. The entry of TVK has made the contest more fragmented, with vote-splitting potentially decisive in several close-fought constituencies.What’s at stakeVoters across Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam will determine whether the NDA retains its “double engine” governance or whether the opposition bloc and new entrants like TVK reshape the Union Territory’s political landscape. With polling set for April 9 and counting scheduled for May 4, the outcome will signal the future political direction of the region and could set a precedent for how emerging third parties influence small but strategic assemblies.