Puducherry polls 2026: Women voters outnumber men; 9.44 lakh voters decide fate

New Delhi: As Puducherry heads to assembly polls, the numbers tell a compelling story – women voters outnumber men and could have a decisive impact on the outcome.

According to the final electoral roll, the Union Territory has a total of 9,44,211 voters spread across 30 constituencies. Of these, 5,00,477 are female voters, 4,43,595 male voters and 139 voters are from the third gender category.

The data highlights a clear gender skew, with women making up the largest voting bloc in the upcoming election.Gender gap becomes key electoral factorThere are nearly 57,000 more female voters than male voters, a gap that marks a major shift in the electoral landscape. Officials also confirmed that women outnumbered men in the final voter rolls, highlighting a trend that could affect campaign strategy and candidate promotion. Political parties are expected to tailor their messages accordingly, with welfare, inflation and social programs likely to take center stage.Key figures at a glance

Election timeline and backgroundVoting for all 30 seats will be held in a phased manner on April 9 and counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

This election will be a multi-faceted contest, with alliances and new entrants adding complexity. But beyond the political equation, the sheer influence of female voters is the decisive factor this time around.The bigger pictureIn many elections, women voters are seen as a silent force. In Puducherry 2026, they were not only silent but numerically dominant.In a tight race, that advantage could quietly determine who holds power.