Electoral activity commenced smoothly across several regions in Gujarat on Sunday morning as voters stepped out to elect representatives for key civic bodies. The major electoral exercise includes general elections for the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation along with the Okha and Thara municipalities, accompanied by by-elections across scattered vacant seats in local governing bodies throughout the state. Voters are casting their ballots using Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), with polling booths opening at 7 am and remaining operational until 6 pm.
Three-Way Contest in Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation
In the state capital, the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation (GMC) is witnessing an intense political contest across all 44 seats spread over 11 wards. A total of 130 candidates are competing in this civic election, with the primary battle unfolding among the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Approximately 2.59 lakh eligible voters hold the mandate to determine the civic leadership in the municipal corporation. During the preceding elections conducted in October 2021, the BJP secured a dominant victory by capturing 41 of the 44 seats, whereas Congress won two seats and AAP secured a single seat.
Electoral Dynamics in Okha and Thara Municipalities
Information shared by the State Election Commission indicates that the Okha municipality encompasses 36 seats across nine wards. However, active voting is restricted to 32 seats because candidates on four seats were elected unopposed. Across these remaining 32 seats, 75 candidates are actively contesting. Concurrently, in the Thara municipality, polling is taking place across 24 seats divided among six wards, featuring 59 contestants seeking voter support.
By-Elections and Security Measures Across Booths
In addition to full civic body elections, by-elections are being conducted for one seat each in Kheralu, Chhota Udepur, and Bayad municipalities, alongside multiple vacant seats across various district panchayats and taluka panchayats. To preserve peace and orderly voting, the State Election Commission deployed comprehensive security measures at sensitive and hyper-sensitive polling locations. Extensive police personnel have been stationed at these venues, supported by regular patrols. If any location requires a re-poll, it will be organized on Monday, while vote counting for all seats will take place on October 13.
