Gujarat: Steady voting in Manjalpur bypoll as turnout touches 34.35 pc
Vadodara, July 30
Polling in the bye-election to Gujarat's Manjalpur Assembly constituency gathered pace through the day, with 34.35 per cent voter turnout recorded by 5 p.m., according to data released by the Election Commission of India.
The latest figures show a steady increase in voter participation after the constituency recorded 6.06 per cent polling by 10 a.m., 14.27 per cent by 12.30 p.m. and 21.66 per cent by 2 p.m.
Voting continued at polling stations until the scheduled closing time, with election officials monitoring the process under extensive security and surveillance arrangements.
The bye-election is being held following the death of veteran BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Yogesh Patel, who represented the constituency for several terms.
A total of 2,19,494 electors are eligible to vote in the constituency, comprising 1,11,645 men, 1,07,847 women and two third-gender voters.
The electoral roll also includes 1,634 Persons with Disabilities (PwD), 1,406 voters aged 85 years and above, and 12 centenarians. Ahead of polling day, 107 voters, including 90 senior citizens, exercised their franchise through the home voting facility.
The contest is a direct fight between the BJP and the Indian Congress.
The BJP has fielded Satish Patel, a former Vadodara Municipal Corporation councillor and former BJP Vadodara district president, while the Congress has nominated Bhikha Rabari, the party's Gujarat vice-president and a former state minister.
Polling is being conducted at 260 polling stations across 62 locations, each equipped with basic amenities including ramps, drinking water, electricity and toilets.
Two polling stations are being managed entirely by women personnel, two by Persons with Disabilities staff, and five have been designated as model polling stations.
The Election Commission has implemented several technology-driven measures for the bypoll.
All 260 polling stations are under 100 per cent live webcasting and CCTV surveillance, while mobile deposit counters have been set up outside polling stations to help voters to deposit their mobile phones before entering polling booths.
Presiding Officers have been updating polling percentages every two hours through the ECINET application.
During the day, polling remained largely peaceful, although a brief confrontation was reported outside a polling station at Panchsheel Vidyalaya, where BJP and Congress workers accused each other of violating election norms.
Police intervened, brought the situation under control and confirmed that polling continued without disruption. Counting of votes for the bye-election is scheduled to take place on August 3.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see 107 voters used home voting facility – that's a progressive step for senior citizens and PwDs. But 1,634 Persons with Disabilities is a significant number; hope the ramps and facilities were actually functional. Also, only two polling stations managed by women? Need more of that.
Direct fight between BJP and Congress – as expected in Gujarat. The late Yogesh Patel was a veteran, so his legacy might help BJP. But the 12 centenarians voting is inspiring; they've seen many elections. Let the process be peaceful, and may the best candidate win. Jaanta ka faisla final! 💪
100% live webcasting and CCTV – good transparency move. But the mobile deposit counters? Ye kya naya drama hai? Voters should be allowed to keep phones; not everyone has a safe place to leave them. Also, brief confrontation at Panchsheel Vidyalaya – usual political rivalry, nothing new in Gujarat.
The turnout figures are steady but could be higher. 2,19,494 voters and 34% by 5pm – many more could have come. But the facilities like ramps, drinking water, and toilets are basic rights, not perks. Disappointed to see only 5 model polling stations out of 260 – what about the rest? Everyone deserves equal infrastructure.
J Joseph A (Western) Interesting to see Indian bypoll mechanics – the detailed reporting on polling percentages, home voting, and all-women managed stations is impressive. The use of ECINET app for real-time updates is a good tech integration. Security We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.