<p>Counting of votes polled in the April 6 Assembly elections in Puducherry began at 8 AM on Sunday.</p>.<p>There are 30 Assembly constituencies spread over Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam regions.</p>.<p>Counting began amid tight security and in strict adherence to the Covid protocols.</p>.<p><strong>Read more: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/election/puducherry/puducherry-election-result-2021-live-updates-assembly-elections-winners-losers-constituency-wise-results-bjp-nda-congress-inc-981349.html" target="_blank">Puducherry Assembly Elections results live updates</a></strong></p>.<p>A spokesman of the Electin Department here told <em>PTI</em> that postal ballots were taken up first for counting.</p>.<p>This would be followed by counting of votes recorded in Electronic voting machines (EVMs) at 8.30 AM, the spokesman said.</p>.<p>There are three counting centres in Puducherry region -Motilal Nehru Government Polytechnic college, the Women`s polytechnic college and the Government Tagore Arts and Science college (all in neighbouring Lawspet)-relating to the 23 segments in Puducherry.</p>.<p>Counting of votes would take place simultaneously in Karaikal (having five constituencies) and Mahe and Yanam regions having one segment each.</p>.<p>Chief Electoral Officer Shurbir Singh told P T I that more than 17,300 postal ballots have been received in the whole of Union Territory.</p>.<p>The election authorities banned victory processions and also distribution of sweets in view of the necessity to curb congestion and also prevent possible spread of pandemic.</p>.<p>Nearly 82 per cent of the 10.04 lakh voters had exercised their franchise in the Union Territory on April 6.</p>.<p>As many as 324 candidates jumped into poll fray and they included party sponsored nominees and Independents.</p>.<p>The counting of votes relating to all the 30 segments is expected to be completed by 11 PM Sunday, a release from the office of CEO said.</p>.<p>The chief contestants in the poll are the AINRC leader N Rangasamy heading the NDA in which the AINRC, AIADMK and Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) are the constituents.</p>.<p>On the other side, the Congress-led Secular Democratic Alliance (SDA) comprises the Congress, DMK, VCK and CPI.</p>.<p>Former Congress Ministers M O H F Shah Jahan, M Kandasamy and R Kamalakannan are the chief contestants on behalf of SDA.</p>.<p>Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader V Narayanasamy opted out of poll battle.</p>
<p>Counting of votes polled in the April 6 Assembly elections in Puducherry began at 8 AM on Sunday.</p>.<p>There are 30 Assembly constituencies spread over Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam regions.</p>.<p>Counting began amid tight security and in strict adherence to the Covid protocols.</p>.<p><strong>Read more: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/election/puducherry/puducherry-election-result-2021-live-updates-assembly-elections-winners-losers-constituency-wise-results-bjp-nda-congress-inc-981349.html" target="_blank">Puducherry Assembly Elections results live updates</a></strong></p>.<p>A spokesman of the Electin Department here told <em>PTI</em> that postal ballots were taken up first for counting.</p>.<p>This would be followed by counting of votes recorded in Electronic voting machines (EVMs) at 8.30 AM, the spokesman said.</p>.<p>There are three counting centres in Puducherry region -Motilal Nehru Government Polytechnic college, the Women`s polytechnic college and the Government Tagore Arts and Science college (all in neighbouring Lawspet)-relating to the 23 segments in Puducherry.</p>.<p>Counting of votes would take place simultaneously in Karaikal (having five constituencies) and Mahe and Yanam regions having one segment each.</p>.<p>Chief Electoral Officer Shurbir Singh told P T I that more than 17,300 postal ballots have been received in the whole of Union Territory.</p>.<p>The election authorities banned victory processions and also distribution of sweets in view of the necessity to curb congestion and also prevent possible spread of pandemic.</p>.<p>Nearly 82 per cent of the 10.04 lakh voters had exercised their franchise in the Union Territory on April 6.</p>.<p>As many as 324 candidates jumped into poll fray and they included party sponsored nominees and Independents.</p>.<p>The counting of votes relating to all the 30 segments is expected to be completed by 11 PM Sunday, a release from the office of CEO said.</p>.<p>The chief contestants in the poll are the AINRC leader N Rangasamy heading the NDA in which the AINRC, AIADMK and Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) are the constituents.</p>.<p>On the other side, the Congress-led Secular Democratic Alliance (SDA) comprises the Congress, DMK, VCK and CPI.</p>.<p>Former Congress Ministers M O H F Shah Jahan, M Kandasamy and R Kamalakannan are the chief contestants on behalf of SDA.</p>.<p>Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader V Narayanasamy opted out of poll battle.</p>