Direct Opposition to Voting Declared in 70 Locations<\/p>\n
A Movement Against the Elections<\/p>\n
Ahmedabad, 27 April, 2026<\/p>\n
In the context of the 2026 local government elections, at least 310 polling booths have declared a boycott of the voting process. Assuming an average of 1,000 voters per booth, this means that 310,000 voters have successfully conveyed their message all the way to Gandhinagar by refusing to cast their ballots.<\/p>\n
Most of the citizens protesting the voting process are individuals who have long been battling against government injustice. Since their voices went unheard within the democratic framework, they have taken the momentous decision to register their protest against the democratic system itself.<\/p>\n
Such occurrences are a recurring feature of every election\u2014either because the 4 trillion rupees in government expenditure fail to reach the intended beneficiaries, or because the government, wielding the power of office, engages in arbitrary and high-handed conduct. During the Gujarat local body elections, scenes of anger and election boycotts were witnessed across several villages in the state, primarily stemming from issues related to development works.<\/p>\n
The rights of 1.5 million voters were stripped away as 724 seats were filled uncontested.<\/p>\n
Out of 40 million registered voters, 20 million\u2014assuming an average turnout of 50 percent\u2014expressed their opposition indirectly by abstaining from voting. Furthermore, the names of 7.2 million voters were removed from the electoral rolls.<\/p>\n
Now, an additional 300,000 voters have registered their protest against the voting process, either by boycotting the polls or by threatening to withhold their votes.<\/p>\n
The public possesses only one fundamental right: the right to vote. If they choose not to exercise this right, they effectively forfeit it.<\/p>\n
As voter resentment against the Gujarat state government and local administrations intensifies, they find themselves losing even their ultimate recourse: the right to boycott the elections.<\/p>\n
The majority of those boycotting the vote reside in agrarian villages. Notably, farmers across 10 villages in Mehsana\u2014whose grievances against government decisions went unheard\u2014raised their collective voice by boycotting the polls; this stands as the most significant incident of its kind across the entire state. Through this act, they have challenged arbitrary decrees, authoritarianism, and an anti-democratic government.<\/p>\n
In 2024, farmers from 24 villages in Bhavnagar united to stage a protest.<\/p>\n
**Valia**
\nIn Kesargam, located in the Valia taluka of Bharuch district, voters had refrained from casting their ballots in any election since 2021. This time, however, they exercised their franchise after their demands were finally met.<\/p>\n
**Voting Boycotts**<\/p>\n
**Mehsana**
\nIn the Mehsana Municipal Corporation area, farmers from 20 villages are protesting against the proposed inclusion of their valuable agricultural land into the municipal limits. The farmers assert that their land is being acquired against their will; in protest against this move, they have decided not to participate in the elections. A battle for their rights.<\/p>\n
**Dela Village**
\nDela village in Mehsana boycotted the voting process to protest against its proposed inclusion into the Municipal Corporation. The matter has reached the High Court; in protest against this ongoing dispute, the residents of Dela village did not cast a single vote on election day, thereby registering their strong dissent against the system.<\/p>\n
**Mehsana**
\nIn Adundra village of Mehsana district, residents of a newly developed suburban area announced a complete boycott of the elections over a decade-old issue regarding the lack of drinking water. Banners bearing slogans such as “Drill a Borewell, Get Our Vote” and “Boycott” were displayed along the main roads.<\/p>\n
**Boycott**
\nA voting boycott was observed in Bajipura village, Mehsana. This protest is linked to a controversy involving the alleged molestation of a minor in the Althan area of \u200b\u200bSurat.<\/p>\n
**Surendranagar**
\nIn Surendranagar, 1,500 voters belonging to a specific community residing along the “80-Foot Road” threatened to boycott the elections due to a severe lack of basic civic amenities.<\/p>\n
**Banaskantha**
\nThe Disani community boycotted the elections.<\/p>\n
**Election Boycott**
\nIn Dokelav village of Lunawada, voters from the Baria Faliya and Nayak Faliya localities refrained from voting. There was significant anger among these voters, as they had been assigned polling booths located 8 kilometers away in Muwada (Nava Khant). Umargam
\nIn Umargam, under the slogan “No Amenities, No Vote,” voters in Dehli village boycotted the voting process over issues concerning basic civic amenities.<\/p>\n
Modasa
\nIn Dholiya Madsana Kampa of Modasa, election officials refused to accept digital Aadhaar cards as valid identification. Voters remained gathered outside the polling station for an hour.<\/p>\n
Porbandar
\nIn Ward Number 3, residents boycotted the voting process due to a lack of civic amenities.<\/p>\n
Vav
\nVoting underway in Sardarpura village of the Vav-Tharad region.<\/p>\n
Bhabhar
\nResidents of Vijaynagar Society in Bhabhar staged a protest against the local administration and political leaders, citing the issue of sewage water overflowing from the sewer system.<\/p>\n
Morbi
\nResidents of Ward Number 8 in Morbi issued a threat to boycott the election if any candidate from outside the ward were to contest.<\/p>\n
Chhota Udaipur
\nIn Vardhi village of Chhota Udaipur, voting was boycotted in protest against a school building project that has remained incomplete for four years.<\/p>\n
Boycott \u2013 Bhavnagar
\nIn Umaniyavadar village of Bhavnagar, residents are facing a long-standing issue regarding the need for a zebra crossing and an underbridge.<\/p>\n
Boycott
\nIn Vardhi village of Chhota Udaipur district, voting stood at 0 percent until 1:00 PM, as the construction work on the school building has remained unfinished for four years.<\/p>\n
Navsari
\nEchoing the sentiment of Chhota Udaipur\u2014”No Roads, No Votes”\u2014villagers in Chain village of Naswadi boycotted the voting process.<\/p>\n
0 Percent
\nIn Sabalvad Kampa village of Idar (Sabarkantha district), voting stood at 0 percent. Even two hours after polling began, not a single vote had been cast. The election was boycotted due to unresolved local issues.<\/p>\n
Mahuva
\nIn Mahuva, a voting boycott was observed under the slogan “No Work, No Votes,” resulting in not a single vote being cast at three separate polling booths.<\/p>\n
Chilod
\nIn Chikhlad village\u2014located within the Faguvel Taluka of Kheda district\u2014villagers are protesting against the decision to incorporate their village into the Faguvel Taluka administrative jurisdiction. Initially, not a single vote was cast at any of the three booths.<\/p>\n
Umaniyavadar
\nIn Umaniyavadar village of Mahuva Taluka, a decision was taken to boycott voting at three polling booths under the slogan “No Cut, No Vote.” Residents of 20 villages are facing severe difficulties due to the absence of a road cut near the Umaniyavadar junction on National Highway 8; they are forced to travel an extra 4 kilometers.<\/p>\n
Duthar
\nVillagers of Duthar\u2014located in the Dediapada Taluka of Narmada district\u2014[demanded] a paved road connecting Phulsar to Duthar.<\/p>\n
…relinquished their right to vote in demand of [basic amenities]. MLA Chaitar Vasava immediately intervened to have the voting process resumed.<\/p>\n
**Meghpar**
\nThe village of Meghpar Titodi in Devbhumi Dwarka district boycotted the election under the slogan, “No Road, No Vote.”<\/p>\n
**Motera**
\nIn Motera, Ahmedabad…<\/p>\n
…residents launched a protest against the administration and elected representatives due to a severe lack of basic amenities.<\/p>\n
**Hafshabad**
\nVoters in Hafshabad village, located in the Modasa Taluka of Aravalli district, boycotted the election due to a lack of basic facilities and the decision to relocate their polling booth\u2014which had been situated within the local school for years\u2014to a site 2 kilometers away.<\/p>\n
**Jamnagar**
\nVoters in Ward No. 10 of Jamnagar boycotted the election, fed up with politicians repeatedly breaking their promises.<\/p>\n
**Kheda**
\nAn election boycott was observed in Chikhlaud village, Kheda district.<\/p>\n
**Khatu Pagi**
\nVoting was boycotted in Khatu Pagi village.<\/p>\n
**Dang \u2013 Kotamdar**
\nIn the Dang district, “No Road, No Vote” banners were displayed in Kotamdar village. The long-standing issues of dilapidated roads and waterlogging in the drainage systems have remained unresolved for years.<\/p>\n
**Navlakhi**
\nIn New Navlakhi (Maliya), voters boycotted the election while holding banners aloft. The poor and illiterate residents\u2014who earn their livelihood through manual labor\u2014have been denied a separate Gram Panchayat (village council) for many years. The area also suffers from waterlogging issues.<\/p>\n
**Jamaniya**
\nIn Jamaniya village\u2014part of the Jamaniya\/Mirapur Group Gram Panchayat in the Valia Taluka of Bharuch district\u2014there has been absolutely no development for the past 20 years.
\nAlthough a 2-kilometer stretch of road was constructed, the residents still refused to cast their votes.
\nThe bus service that operated 25 years ago was discontinued due to the poor condition of the roads. There is no motor available to power the borewell for drinking water, and the “Nal Se Jal” (Tap Water) scheme has yet to be implemented in the village. Furthermore, the area does not receive 24-hour electricity supply under the “Jyotigram” scheme. Dharmendra Chaudhary currently serves as the Sarpanch of the Mirapur-Jamaniya Group Gram Panchayat. Idar
\nSabalwad Kampa village in Idar, Sabarkantha, completely boycotted the voting process due to a lack of basic amenities.
\nThe administration, they allege, makes nothing but false promises.<\/p>\n
Vahiya
\nVahiya village in Botad had shut its gates to politicians, putting up ‘No Entry’ boards. Their demand centers on the construction of a bridge over the Hiran River; for four months of the year, the village\u2014home to 3,000 people\u2014effectively becomes an island.<\/p>\n
Gungardi
\nResidents of the Sigmahuda Fali (hamlet) in Gungardi village, Garbada Taluka, boycotted the election on polling day, protesting the absence of basic amenities\u2014such as roads\u2014even 78 years after independence.<\/p>\n
Nishana
\nNishana village in the Subir block of Dang district announced a boycott of the elections due to a severe lack of basic amenities. The condition of the roads is abysmal, and schemes like ‘Har Ghar Nal’ (Tap in Every Home) and ‘Nal Se Jal’ (Water from Tap) have failed completely. They have also threatened to boycott the upcoming Assembly elections.<\/p>\n
Rajkot
\nWomen in Ward No. 18 of Rajkot announced a ‘voting boycott’ due to a lack of civic amenities. Their grievance is that politicians merely distribute money (or gifts) and then walk away with their votes.<\/p>\n
Gota Kampa
\nGota Kampa village in Sabarkantha district announced a boycott of the elections. They are protesting against the construction of an explosives manufacturing warehouse near the village, the approval for which was allegedly obtained through political collusion. The lives of the entire village population have been put at risk. They have vowed that not a single villager will cast a vote until the approval for the facility is revoked.<\/p>\n
Radhanpur
\nAn election boycott was observed in Najupura village, Radhanpur.<\/p>\n
Khambha
\nIn Khambha, Amreli, the villagers of Gidardi boycotted the elections. They have been without access to drinking water for the past nine years.<\/p>\n
Khanpur
\nBedvalli village in the Khanpur Taluka of Mahisagar district staged a protest against politicians. Local residents have voiced their grievances, citing rampant corruption as the root cause of their suffering. Large signboards announcing an election boycott have been erected at the entrance of the village. Leaders are warned not to enter the village to solicit votes or campaign. The ‘Nal Se Jal’ (Tap Water) scheme exists only on paper!<\/p>\n
There is rampant corruption and irregularities in road construction and other development projects. There are absolutely no facilities for drinking water.
\nThe situation is dire.<\/p>\n
**Godhra**
\nIn the Bhurarao area of \u200b\u200bGodhra, residents of the Ward 3 society have decided to boycott the upcoming municipal elections due to a severe lack of basic amenities. Banners reading “No Water, No Sanitation, No Streetlights\u2014No Votes” have been put up across the locality.<\/p>\n
**Chinore**
\nIn Chimer village of Songadh, residents have announced an election boycott under the slogan “No Work, No Vote,” reflecting the public’s growing anger against political leaders. Notably, the Chimer Waterfall is recognized as one of the 300 highest waterfalls in the region.<\/p>\n
**Pipartoda**
\nIn Pipartoda village, located in the Dhrol Taluka of Jamnagar, voters have decided to abstain from the voting process entirely. The village roads have been severely damaged due to excavation work undertaken to lay pipelines across the agricultural fields. The residents’ demand is clear: “Build the roads first; then ask for our votes.”<\/p>\n
**Khambhalia**
\nProtests have erupted in the Banglavadi area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Khambhalia Municipality.<\/p>\n
**Ukai**
\nResidents have announced a boycott related to the Ukai High-Level Canal project following the non-receipt of promised refunds.
\nFarmers in Olpad have also declared an election boycott, raising the slogan: “No Water, No Vote.”<\/p>\n
**Malpur**
\nIn Dabran village of Malpur, villagers staged a vigorous protest regarding the poor condition of roads and sanitation issues, culminating in a decision to boycott the voting process.<\/p>\n
**Vapi**
\nIn Vallabhnagar\u2014located within Ward No. 3 of the Chiri area, under the jurisdiction of the Vapi Municipal Corporation\u2014residents are staging protests by displaying banners that read: “No Roads, No Votes…”<\/p>\n
**Lakhtar**
\nResidents of Lakhtar in the Kutch region have announced a complete boycott of the upcoming elections. They allege that they have been deprived of basic civic amenities for the past 25 years.<\/p>\n
**Palanpur**
\nResidents of Laxmipura have issued a threat to boycott the elections, citing the absence of essential infrastructure\u2014specifically, the lack of both a water supply system and a bridge. Narmada \u2013 Residents of Gundwan, Nani Mogri, and Moti Mogri in Sagbara Taluka boycotted the elections.<\/p>\n
Tapi \u2013 Voters from 250 households in ‘Flower City’ (Kanpura constituency) put up banners declaring an ‘Election Ban’ at the main gate of their housing society.<\/p>\n
Santrampur \u2013 In Gothib, residents displayed a placard reading ‘No Development, No Vote,’ alleging that a massive scam had been perpetrated in the name of development.<\/p>\n
Surat \u2013 In Adajan, Pune, and Utran, residents boycotted the elections by displaying banners inscribed with the slogan ‘No Work, No Vote.’<\/p>\n
Amirgadh \u2013 Voters in Amirgadh threatened to boycott the elections because they were required to travel to two separate locations to cast their votes.(Translated from Gujarati via Google Translate)<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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