During the campaign, the BJP played the “development” card, while the Congress, which has been out of power in these local bodies for a long time now, cited “lack of amenities” and the recent fuel price hike to turn the tide. The Aam Aadmi Party has claimed it would be an effective alternative to the BJP and Congress, while Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM will make its local bodies poll debut having fielded 21 candidates in six wards in Ahmedabad.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who tested positive for coronavirus during the campaign some days back, also cast his vote in his hometown Rajkot after testing negative for the virus.
Elections to 81 municipalities, 31 district panchayats and 231 taluka panchayats are scheduled on February 28.
Lowest Turnout in Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad recorded the lowest turnout of 42.51 per cent, while Jamnagar saw the highest turnout of 53.38 per cent, followed by 50.72 per cent in Rajkot, 49.46 per cent in Bhavnagar, 47.84 per cent in Vadodara and 47.14 per cent in Surat. Of the total 1.14 crore voters registered in these major cities of Gujarat, 52.83 lakh had cast their ballots, the SEC said in a release.
46% Voter Turnout Recorded in Polls | The State Election Commission (SEC) has said an average 46.08 per cent turnout was registered during voting which was held between 7 am and 6 pm on Sunday.
“Designated staff would begin the counting of votes from 9 am on Tuesday at various counting centres in these six cities. People can watch live updates on our website,” said MV Joshi, secretary, State Election Commission.
Polling for 576 seats in 144 wards across six civic bodies – Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara, Bhavnagar and Jamnagar – was held on Sunday (February 21). All these civic bodies are being currently ruled by the BJP.
Counting of Votes for 6 Gujarat Civic Corporations Today | Counting of votes polled in elections to six municipal corporations of Gujarat, including major cities of Ahmedabad and Vadodara, will be held today with all eyes on performance of the BJP which is in power in these civic bodies. The counting will start at 9 am.
Source: News18