Puducherry Tops Third Gender Voter Turnout at 91.81%, Says EC

Puducherry has recorded the highest voter turnout among third gender electors in the recent Assembly elections, with an impressive 91.81% participation, according to data released by the Election Commission of India.

Between April 9 and April 23, Puducherry had 139 registered third gender voters, of whom a significant majority exercised their franchise—marking a notable milestone in inclusive electoral participation.

State-wise Participation

Other states reported varying turnout levels among third gender electors:

• Tamil Nadu: 7,728 electors; 60.49% turnout
• West Bengal (Phase 1): 465 electors; 56.79% turnout
• Assam: 343 electors; 36.84% turnout
• Kerala: 277 electors; 57.04% turnout

Election Timeline

Polling schedules across states were as follows:

• April 9: Elections in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry
• April 23: Tamil Nadu elections and Phase 1 polling in West Bengal
• April 29: Phase 2 polling in West Bengal
• May 4: Counting of votes for all states

Inclusive Electoral Reforms

The inclusion of third gender voters under the “Others” category in electoral rolls is a significant step toward inclusivity. Former Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla had earlier advocated for recognizing third gender individuals in voter registration, a reform now institutionalized by the Election Commission.

The data highlights growing participation from marginalized communities, reflecting broader efforts to make India’s democratic process more inclusive and representative.West Bengal’s administrative nerve centre, Lok Bhavan, has extended its 24×7 helpline services till May 10 to support the conduct of free and fair elections across the state.

This move comes in coordination with the Election Commission of India, aiming to ensure that voters, political parties, and the general public can promptly report any election-related issues, complaints, or irregularities.

Key Highlights:

• Round-the-clock availability: Citizens can lodge complaints anytime regarding violations of the Model Code of Conduct, voter intimidation, or polling irregularities.
• Public participation encouraged: Authorities are urging people to actively report concerns to maintain transparency.
• Enhanced monitoring: The helpline acts as a real-time feedback system for swift administrative action.

Officials stated that this initiative strengthens accountability and helps authorities respond quickly during the ongoing election process, reinforcing democratic norms in West Bengal.