Afternoon rush pushes Vadodara polling past 52%

Vadodara recorded a voter turnout of 52.56% in the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) elections on Sunday, marking an increase of over 4% points compared to the 2021 civic polls. While the rise indicates a modest improvement in voter participation, the turnout remained moderate amid soaring temperatures across the region.Polling began on a slow note in the morning despite expectations of an early surge due to the ongoing heatwave. By 11am, only around 18% of voters had exercised their franchise. However, turnout picked up steadily through the afternoon, with long queues forming at polling booths in both western and eastern parts of the city.Minor technical glitches in electronic voting machines (EVMs) were reported at a few polling stations, briefly disrupting the process. Election officials acted promptly to resolve the issues, ensuring minimal delay. A brief clash between BJP and Congress workers in the Wadi area caused tension, but swift intervention by the police brought the situation under control without any escalation.Prominent citizens also turned up to vote and encouraged public participation. "Casting a ballot is very important, and we should all vote for those who represent us and solve our civic problems," said actress Sonali Desai after voting.In Anand district, the maiden election of the newly formed Karamsad-Anand Municipal Corporation (KAMC) witnessed a healthy turnout of 61.54%, with polling largely peaceful. The election marks a significant administrative transition following the merger of Anand and Karamsad into a single civic body, which now includes eight wards from Anand, six councillors from Karamsad, four from Vidyanagar, and adjoining areas.Elections were also held in six nagarpalikas — Borsad, Khambhat, Umreth, Petlad, Tarapur, and Sojitra — collectively recording an impressive average turnout of 73.58%. However, polling in Anand was overshadowed by controversy after the Congress alleged that its Ward No. 13 candidate, Harshil Dave (Londonwalla), was assaulted by BJP workers. The party released a video purportedly showing Dave injured and accused its rival of distributing liquor and cash to influence voters. Calling it an "assault on democracy," Congress demanded strict action. The BJP had not issued any official response at the time of publication, and no formal police complaint had been confirmed.In Dahod district, around 65% voter turnout was recorded for municipality polls and 67% for panchayats, while neighbouring Mahisagar saw approximately 63.5% voting in panchayat elections. Panchmahal district reported a turnout of 69%, with Jambughoda taluka registering the highest participation at 83.32% and Shehra the lowest at 59.76%.Voting was briefly halted at a polling station in Vhorwad, Godhra, due to a EVM malfunction, leading authorities to extend polling time by 30 minutes. Meanwhile, isolated instances of voter abstention were reported in Dahod and Mahisagar districts, with residents citing distant polling booths and unmet infrastructure demands, such as road construction.Allegations also surfaced in Dahod, where Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers claimed that a candidate's relative was abducted on the eve of polling. Videos circulating on social media showed the individual tied up in a field. Authorities had yet to confirm the incident.Despite these scattered disruptions, the overall polling process across central Gujarat remained largely peaceful. The elections were marked by inspiring participation, including elderly voters — some over 90 years old — and newlyweds arriving at polling booths in wedding attire. Police personnel extended assistance to senior citizens and differently-abled voters, ensuring inclusive participation in the democratic process.
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