Voting for the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation passed off largely without major disruption on Sunday, though scattered clashes between party workers, an allegation of booth capturing and a faulty voting machine drew attention. Average turnout reached 54.1 percent by 5 pm. Polling ran from 7 am to 6 pm.All 44 seats across 11 wards were contested, with 130 candidates in the fray. The city has 2,59,780 registered voters: 1,32,457 men and 1,27,314 women. Despite talk that the ruling party tried to get some seats decided unopposed, opposition and independent candidates stayed in the race, so every seat went to a vote.
Authorities declared 90 of the 295 polling stations sensitive, with the most in Ward 2 (14), Ward 4 (13) and Ward 7 (12). Security included 6 DySPs, 15 inspectors, 40 sub-inspectors, 580 police personnel, 350 home guards and three SRP platoons. About 1,570 staff handled polling duties. A district control room (07923259035) will operate through counting day.
Votes will be counted on October 13, which will decide the fate of all 130 candidates.
