Gujarat Polls: Turnout Below 30%, Boycott and Clash Reported
Gujarat is witnessing a significant electoral exercise today (April 26) as voting is underway for local body elections across the state. However, voter turnout has remained relatively low, with figures staying below 30% as of 1 pm, according to official updates.
Polling is being conducted for 9,259 seats across 393 local bodies in 34 districts. These include 15 Municipal Corporations, 95 Municipalities, 260 Taluka Panchayats, and 24 District Panchayats. Voting began at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, with voters seen lining up at polling booths in several areas.
Despite the ongoing democratic process, the elections have been marked by protests and isolated incidents. In Bajipura village of Visnagar taluka, residents have boycotted voting entirely. The boycott is in protest against alleged police action following a molestation incident involving a minor from the village in Surat. Villagers have accused the police of using force, including lathicharge, against those seeking justice. They have demanded immediate suspension of the personnel involved and have refused to participate in voting until action is taken.
In another incident, a scuffle broke out between BJP and Congress workers at the VV Tomar School polling station in the Kubernagar ward of Ahmedabad. Police personnel intervened promptly and managed to bring the situation under control.
Meanwhile, a notable number of seats had already been decided before polling began. Out of the total 9,992 seats, 733 were declared uncontested, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing 724 of them unopposed.
These elections are crucial as they will determine leadership in local governance bodies for the next five years, impacting civic administration and development across Gujarat.
