Gujarat Umreth Bypoll Sees 46.66% Voter Turnout by 3 PM Amid Heat

Voting began at 7 a.m. across 306 polling stations spread over urban and rural areas of the constituency, which includes 46 villages of Umreth taluka along with parts of Anand rural region and the municipalities of Ode, Umreth and Boriavi.

A total of 2,45,623 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the contest, which has six candidates in the fray.

The day's polling has seen steady participation despite rising temperatures in the afternoon, with election officials noting that voting activity was more concentrated during the early hours and continued in intervals as heat conditions intensified later in the day.

Arrangements including drinking water, ORS packets and shaded waiting areas have been put in place at polling stations to support voters.

The Election Commission has fixed polling time from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., while counting of votes will be conducted on May 4.

Officials said the polling process is being managed by a deployment of nearly 1,500 personnel, including around 1,348 polling staff, supported by 22 micro observers and 19 nodal officers.

Webcasting has been enabled at all polling stations for continuous monitoring.

Security arrangements have been strengthened across the constituency with the deployment of two Deputy Superintendents of Police, four Police Inspectors, around 500 police and home guard personnel, and three companies of the Central Reserve Police Force to maintain order during voting.

To facilitate inclusive participation, 218 wheelchairs have been made available for elderly and differently-abled voters, supported by 361 volunteers at polling stations.

Six dedicated vehicles have also been arranged for voters aged 85 and above and persons with disabilities to assist them in reaching polling booths.

Voter Assistance Booths have been set up across all stations to provide information and logistical help.

The electorate includes 4,174 first-time voters aged 18-19 years, along with 1,556 voters above 85 years of age and 1,546 persons with disabilities.

Officials said some voters from these categories have already exercised their franchise through home voting arrangements conducted prior to polling day.

Earlier in the process, 212 election-duty staff members cast their votes through postal ballots between April 15 and 17.

Voters are allowed to identify themselves using any one of 12 Election Commission-approved documents, including Aadhaar card, passport, driving licence and voter ID card, while non-resident Indian electors are required to present their original passport at polling stations.

- IANS