Voting Commences for Local Body Elections in Gujarat

Local Elections Underway in Gujarat

Voting has officially begun this Sunday for various local bodies in Gujarat, encompassing 15 municipal corporations and 84 municipalities. According to the state election commission, the polling process will take place from 7 AM to 6 PM.

This election is significant as it includes major cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot, along with 15 municipal corporations, 84 municipalities, 34 district panchayats, and 260 taluka panchayats, marking one of the largest electoral exercises in the state.

A total of 9,992 candidates are contesting, with over 41.8 million voters eligible to cast their ballots. Notably, this election marks the first time for elections in nine newly formed municipal corporations: Navsari, Gandhidham, Morbi, Vapi, Anand, Nadiad, Mehsana, Porbandar, and Surendranagar.

The elections are being conducted under revised OBC reservation criteria, necessitating extensive ward delimitation and restructuring in several districts. On the security front, a three-tier arrangement has been established, including CCTV surveillance and the deployment of special teams in sensitive areas. The counting of votes is scheduled for April 28.