Polling in the single-phase election to the Puducherry Assembly election recorded 78 per cent voter turnout on Tuesday, according to the Election Commission’s Turnout App.

Yanam constituency witnessed the highest voting percentage at 86 per cent while Mahe saw the lowest turnout of voters at 69 per cent.

At least 324 candidates are in the fray for the 30-member Assembly of the Union Territory. Congress is heading the Secular Democratic Alliance in which Congress is contesting from 14 seats while its ally-the DMK- was earmarked 13 constituencies. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Communist Party of India (CPI), the other constituents of the alliance, have been earmarked one seat each.

On the other hand, Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) is contesting this election together along with the N Rangasamy’s All India NR Congress (AINRC) that is seeking votes from 16 seats. BJP is fighting on nine whereas AIADMK is contesting from five constituencies.

Among the key candidates in the fray are N Rangasamy who is contesting from two seats - Thattanchavady and Yanam. He is facing a tough challenge from Gollapalli Ashok, who contesting as an independent candidate with the Congress’ support from Yanam. AIADMK’s A Anbalagan is contesting from Uppalam. He is the sitting MLA and has been holding the Uppalam constituency since 2001. Former PWD minister A Namassivayam, who left the Congress, is contesting as the BJP’s candidate from Mannadipet constituency.

Earlier, just few months before the election, the term of Congress-led V Narayanasamy government was dissolved in February after the Congress government was unable to prove its majority. President’s rule was imposed in the Union Territory on February 25.

Incidentally, Narayanasamy is not be contesting this election on Congress ticket.

The results of the Puducherry elections will be declared on May 2.