Puducherry Assembly election 2026: Theme-based polling stations, humanoid robot ‘Nila’ attract voters

Puducherry Assembly elections 2026 feature theme-based polling stations and the welcoming humanoid robot, ‘Nila’, enhancing voter experience.

The Government Middle School at Keezhur in Mangalam Assembly constituency of Puducherry, one among the three designated “unique” polling stations in the Union Territory, had Tamil art forms, flex boards featuring the freedom history of erstwhile Pondicherry and eco-friendly materials decking up the ambience as voters walked in to exercise their franchise during the Puducherry Assembly elections on Thursday (April 9, 2026).

The school at Keezhur, a village on the Puducherry-Tamil Nadu border off Villianur, has historically been one of the prime polling stations. In October 1954, Keezhur produced the definite referendum in favour of the merger of French establishments with India.

A polling station at the Government Middle School in Keezhur in Mangalam Assembly constituency of Puducherry served traditional food items such as ‘sundal’, ‘kozhukattai’, millet porridge and other local preparations, to voters and the staff on Thursday. | Photo Credit: S. Prasad

This formed the basis for a bilateral Treaty of Cession three days later ceding full sovereignty of the territories of Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam from France to India.

Also read: Puducherry Assembly elections 2026 LIVE

At the V.O. Chidambaranar Higher Secondary School, a designated polling station located in the Boulevard, ‘Nila’, a humanoid robot welcomed voters with roses. Developed as an interactive event-based machine, ‘Nila’ was deployed to welcome and assist voters.