Puducherry, Feb. 17 -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a notification allotting the "Torch Light" symbol to the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) for the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections in Puducherry.

The notification comes as the poll body intensifies preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. On February 11, a seven-member team of Deputy Election Commissioners arrived at Chennai International Airport to review poll preparedness. The delegation includes Bhanwar Prakash, Manish Garg, Pawan Kumar Sharma, Sanjay Kumar and Ashish Goyal, along with other senior officials.

Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Maneesh Garg told reporters, "A team of officials from the Election Commission has re...