Gujarat civic polls: Violence, boycotts in districts

By 11.30 pm, the official web portal of the State Election Commission reported 57.63 per cent voting in municipalities, 63.79 per cent in district panchayats and 64.75 per cent voting in taluka panchayats.

In the 2015 elections to 56 municipalities, 31 district panchayats and 230 taluka panchayats, municipalities had recorded 62.77 per cent voting, district panchayats 69.55 per cent and taluka panchayats 69.28 per cent voting.

In Chhota Udepur, Targol and Kundiuncha Kalam villages of Bodeli taluka and Gunder village of Sankheda taluka boycotted the election over various demands including an independent gram panchayat, a bridge, proper roads, water, drainage and health facilities. In two villages of Amreli district – Padargadh and Khijadia – boycotted polling in protest of “unresolved issues” .

Incidents of alleged booth capture, skirmishes between party supporters and assault were reported from Dahod, Mahisagar, Aravalli, Morbi and Bhavnagar districts on Saturday and Sunday.

Over three crore voters were expected to cast their votes in the polls for 8,235 seats.

Eventually, voting was conducted for around 7,998 seats since 237 seats were declared elected uncontested.

Counting of votes is slated for March 2.