Voting turnout stood at 49.02% in Municipal Corporations, 59.50% in Municipalities, 61.69% in District Panchayats, and 62.38% in Taluka Panchayats.
\n**Voting Figures Released**
\n15 Municipal Corporations: 49.02% voting
\n84 Municipalities: 59.50% voting
\n11 Municipal By-elections: 55.38% voting
\n34 District Panchayats: 61.69% voting
\n260 Taluka Panchayats: 62.38% voting<\/p>\n
**Complaints Received During the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections**
\nFrom the commencement of the Model Code of Conduct period until the day of voting, a total of 16,340 complaints were received.
\nIn reality, a higher number of complaints should have been anticipated in 2026.<\/p>\n
Following the recent revision of the Electoral Rolls (SIR) conducted by the Central Election Commission in Gujarat, widespread complaints have emerged regarding changes to the polling stations assigned to many eligible voters. Even though these voters continued to reside at the exact same address both before and after the SIR revision, their designated polling stations were altered. While voters aspire to fulfill their civic duty by casting their ballots during this “festival of democracy,” they risk being deprived of the opportunity to cast their sacred vote due to a flawed and biased system.<\/p>\n
Across the entire state, a total of 152 Control Units (CUs) and 248 Ballot Units (BUs) had to be replaced during the voting process.<\/p>\n
**EVMs**
\nIn Ward No. 2 of Gondal, at Polling Station No. 6 located within the Swaminarayan Gurukul premises, an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) malfunctioned. The Zonal Officer subsequently replaced the faulty EVM.<\/p>\n
Instances of dehydration were reported due to the intense heat. Several cases of voters experiencing dizziness or fainting were recorded at various polling stations.<\/p>\n
**Demise of a Candidate**
\nDuring the Jamnagar Municipal Corporation elections, Narendra Singh Jadeja\u2014the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate contesting from Ward No. 3\u2014passed away at his residence following a heart attack.<\/p>\n
It was decided that the vote-counting process would proceed as scheduled following the completion of the voting process. **Death of Candidate’s Father-in-Law**
\nLakhamanbhai Kalubhai Der\u2014father of Kashyap Ahir, an Ahir leader, Village Panchayat Sarpanch, and politician from Keshod village in Khambhalia Taluka\u2014passed away due to a heart attack.<\/p>\n
**Voting Slips Not Received**
\nIn several parts of the state, the State Election Commission failed to deliver voting slips\u2014containing details such as ward\/section numbers and polling station locations\u2014to the majority of households.
\nThe government machinery proved ineffective in distributing voter slips to the electorate. Consequently, voters arrived at polling booths carrying slips provided by the BJP and Congress parties instead.
\nBJP and Congress candidates had distributed slips to voters’ homes\u2014requesting votes for themselves\u2014which also featured their photographs and serial numbers. At some polling booths, voters arrived holding only these slips bearing the candidates’ photos; even the polling staff relied on these slips to identify the voters’ serial numbers.<\/p>\n
**Banners**
\nIn Ahmedabad, despite the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, BJP banners were prominently displayed at polling booths.<\/p>\n
**62 Complaints Received**
\nThe City Collector’s control room received a total of 62 complaints. These complaints primarily consisted of inquiries regarding the location where voters were supposed to cast their votes.<\/p>\n
**Lack of Arrangements**
\nAt several polling booths, the arrangements for seating (mandaps) and drinking water were found to be inadequate.<\/p>\n
**Names Missing from List**
\nIn Ahmedabad, several names were found to be missing from the voter lists, and the locations of some polling booths had been changed; as a result, voters were forced to shuttle back and forth between different booths in search of their designated polling stations.<\/p>\n
**Candidate’s Vote Cast by Someone Else**
\nDuring the Vadodara Municipal Corporation elections, when the Congress candidate for Ward No. 9 arrived at the polling station to cast his vote, he discovered that his vote had already been cast by another individual. This incident sparked a major uproar. The imposter had affixed a thumb impression instead of a signature on the voter register. Following the commotion, the candidate was permitted to cast a “tendered vote.”<\/p>\n
**Gates Reopened**
\nAt the polling booth located at the Panigate Ayurvedic College in Vadodara city, when two of the gates were closed, Ashish Joshi\u2014the Congress candidate for Ward No. 15\u2014staged a strong protest and successfully compelled the authorities to reopen the gates. **Party Symbol**
\nVadodara BJP President Jayprakash Soni openly flouted the rules by casting his vote at a polling station while sporting a lotus symbol on his attire. Congress President Ritvij Joshi raised an objection to this act. According to election regulations, any form of political identification or campaigning is strictly prohibited inside a polling station. Officials either failed to notice this sight or chose to turn a blind eye to it.<\/p>\n
**Re-polling \u2013 Chuda**
\nA decision was taken to conduct re-polling in Jepar village within the Chuda region of Surendranagar. At Polling Station No. 4\/5 (New Primary School) in Jepar\u2014which falls under the 2-Chuda-1 District Panchayat and 6-Chuda-1 Taluka Panchayat election divisions\u2014severe technical malfunctions occurred in both the Electronic Voting Machine’s (EVM) Control Unit (CU) and Ballot Unit (BU). This malfunction disrupted the voting process and caused significant inconvenience to the voters.<\/p>\n
**Gota**
\nIn the Gota ward of Ahmedabad\u2014the constituency represented by Amit Shah and Bhupendra Patel\u2014BJP workers were present inside the polling booths during voting hours. A commotion ensued when BJP workers were spotted sitting in a room adjacent to the polling station\u2014located at Satyam Vista in Gota\u2014where the voter lists were being managed. As soon as a citizen turned on their camera, the workers present in the room promptly exited the premises. Following this incident, the administration in the Gota ward enforced strict regulations.<\/p>\n
**Step Out of the AC**
\nAnandiben Patel’s Outburst: “If you step out of the air-conditioning, you will feel the heat,” remarked the Governor of Uttar Pradesh.<\/p>\n
**Confrontation**
\nDuring the Rajkot Municipal Corporation elections, BJP and Congress workers clashed at the polling station located at Sahajanand High School in Ward No. 12 over a dispute regarding the collection of voting statistics.<\/p>\n
**Confrontation**
\nIn Kubernagar, Ahmedabad, BJP and Congress workers clashed at the V.V. Tomar School polling station during the voting process. Police arrived on the scene following the scuffle between the party workers.<\/p>\n
**Verbal Abuse**
\nIn Manjalpur, Vadodara, BJP and Congress workers confronted each other outside a polling booth during the voting process, resulting in an exchange of verbal abuse. An uproar erupted over allegations regarding party campaigning. Workers from both parties hurled abuses at each other.<\/p>\n
At Anupam School in Ahmedabad’s Thaltej area, the Congress party… for three hours.<\/p>\n
…the table has been removed.<\/p>\n
The table was removed following the voting process. There was no polling agent present either.<\/p>\n
**Envelope of Cash**
\nDuring the ongoing voting at Benjamin School in Vadodara’s Gotri area, an election agent raised an objection when an official handed an envelope filled with cash to another officer. The moment the official presented the envelope to the Presiding Officer, the election agent voiced his objection. The envelope was reportedly presented in the capacity of a Zonal Officer. The suspect identified himself by displaying an ID card belonging to Yogesh Joshi.<\/p>\n
**Fake Polling Agent**
\nA fake polling agent was apprehended in the Khadia area of \u200b\u200bAhmedabad. A resident of the Satellite area had posed as a Ward Agent in Khadia. A complaint regarding this incident was lodged by a Congress candidate.<\/p>\n
**The ‘Bubble’ Controversy**
\nA scuffle broke out between Congress candidates and the police during voting at Parimal School in Rajkot. The dispute arose over the inclusion of the BJP candidate’s name and photograph on the voting slip (the ‘bubble’ sheet). The contention was that the section containing the candidates’ names should have been separated.<\/p>\n
**Booth Relocation**
\nBooth numbers 39 and 40, located at the Khokhra Sub-Zonal Office in Ahmedabad, were abruptly relocated to a different venue. The administration failed to provide any prior information regarding this move to the candidates. The Sub-Zonal Office itself was found locked.<\/p>\n
**Power Outage**
\nVoters faced difficulties due to a power outage at the Iqra polling booth in Ward Number 2 of Bharuch. Voting proceeded with the aid of candles and flashlights. Voters also alleged that the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) itself was malfunctioning.<\/p>\n
**EVM Issues**
\nEVM malfunctions were reported in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Rajkot. In one instance, a button on an EVM ceased to function, necessitating its removal. The Election Officer subsequently replaced the machine. Additionally, an EVM reportedly jammed at Booth Number 7 of Kuberishwar School.<\/p>\n
**EVM \u2013 Dehgam**
\nA technical glitch was reported in the EVM at the polling station in Ward Number 4 of the Dehgam Municipality.<\/p>\n
**The ‘Bubble’ Controversy (Kodinar)**
\nA heated argument erupted between BJP and Congress workers during the voting process in the Sindhaj area of \u200b\u200bKodinar. Fraud
\nThe BJP has been accused of deploying fake polling agents at the Mota Ankadiya seat in Amreli. BJP and AAP workers clashed during the incident. Prayer \u2013 Congress: In Ahmedabad, Congress Deputy Leader and MLA Shailesh Parmar was offering prayers inside the Samadhi (shrine) of Mahonsi Bawa in Danilimda, and his political opponents took advantage of the situation. Tapi \u2013 Communal Tension: A scuffle broke out between two factions of the BJP near a polling station in Buhari village, Valod Taluka, Tapi district. The altercation involved the group led by Suraj Desai\u2014former State Minister of the Yuva Morcha\u2014and the group led by Amit Patel, the General Secretary of the District BJP organization. Morbi \u2013 EVM Issues: Voters created a ruckus in Ward No. 6 of the Morbi Municipal Corporation due to a malfunctioning EVM. Brawl \u2013 Wadi: A commotion ensued during voting in the Wadi area of \u200b\u200bVadodara, leading to a physical altercation between BJP and Congress workers. Congress candidate Tirth Brahmbhatt was accused of assaulting a BJP worker. EVM \u2013 Vadodara:
\nIn Ward No. 2 of Savli, Vadodara, voters created an uproar at the Kumar School polling station after an EVM stopped functioning due to a technical glitch. The voting process resumed only after a replacement EVM was arranged.<\/p>\n
Ahmedabad \u2013 EVM Issues
\nA commotion occurred at the CN Vidyalaya polling booth in Ahmedabad, amidst allegations that the button corresponding to the Congress party on the EVM was not registering votes.<\/p>\n
EVM \u2013 Patan
\nAn EVM malfunctioned in Ward No. 2 of Patan. Voting in the municipal election remained halted for 20 minutes due to the faulty EVM.<\/p>\n
Anand \u2013 EVM Issues
\nAn EVM malfunctioned in Karamsad, Anand. The EVM remained non-functional for approximately 7 minutes. At one point, technical glitches were detected in five separate EVMs simultaneously. Voting was immediately resumed after replacement EVMs were procured.<\/p>\n
Patan \u2013 Death
\nIn Ward No. 6 of the Patan Municipal Corporation, B.M. After casting her vote at a high school polling station, a woman collapsed due to the heat and subsequently passed away.<\/p>\n
**Votes Cast by Others**
\nDuring the elections, complaints of bogus voting also kept the system on alert. Incidents were reported in which votes were cast on behalf of others\u2014specifically, a voter named Shaileshbhai in Ward No. 4 of Rajkot, and another individual named Rahul Thakor in Kubernagar, Ahmedabad.
\nIn Ward No. 10 of Amreli, someone cast a vote in the name of Vikram Soldiya, prompting election officials to initiate an investigation.<\/p>\n
Despite the occurrence of irregularities, the State Election Commission remains silent.<\/p>\n
15 Municipal Corporations,
\n84 Municipalities,
\n34 District Panchayats,
\n260 Taluka Panchayats\u2014<\/p>\n
1.5 million voters have been deprived of their right to vote.<\/p>\n
Total Voters:
\nUrban Voters: 14 million (1.40 crore)
\nThey will cast four votes each.<\/p>\n
Rural Voters:
\n26.1 million (2.61 crore) rural voters will cast two votes each\u2014for the Taluka and District Panchayats.<\/p>\n
Following the Special Summary Revision (SSR), the voter count has decreased by 7.47 million (74.74 lakh).<\/p>\n
41.8 million (4.18 crore) total voters;
\n40.2 million (4.02 crore) voters who are uncontested.<\/p>\n
They come to power by securing merely 25 to 27 percent of the total votes. The very party that fails to secure the votes of 70 percent of the electorate is the one that ultimately assumes power.<\/p>\n
Candidates:
\n9,273 Seats
\n25,551 Candidates
\nBharatiya Janata Party: 9,268 Candidates
\nCongress: 8,476 Candidates
\nAam Aadmi Party: 5,276 Candidates<\/p>\n
In 2021, a total of 24,438 candidates were in the fray for 8,809 seats.<\/p>\n
Nine new Municipal Corporations,
\n17 new Taluka Panchayats,
\nOne new District\u2014along with new delimitation boundaries incorporating a 27 percent reservation quota\u2014have been implemented.<\/p>\n
Compared to 2021, this election appears rather lackluster.<\/p>\n
2025 Municipalities\/District-Taluka Panchayats: 56.60%
\n2021 (6 Metropolitan Cities): 41.75% \u2013 42%
\n2015 (6 Metropolitan Cities): 45.76%
\n2010 (Metropolitan Cities): 44%
\n2005 (Metropolitan Cities): 42%\u201345%
\n2000 (Metropolitan Cities): 40%<\/p>\n
Voting rates tend to be higher in rural areas compared to urban centers.
\nIn smaller towns, the voting rate ranges from 56 to 60 percent.
\nIn metropolitan areas, voter turnout typically falls between 40% and 46%. 2025 Municipality + Panchayat: 56%\u201357%
\n2021 Municipality + District\/Taluka Panchayat: 60%\u201365%
\n2015 Municipality + Panchayat: 57%\u201360%<\/p>\n
February 21, 2021
\n42.51 percent voting recorded in Ahmedabad.
\nAverage voting across the 6 municipalities stood at 46.08 percent.
\nIn Jamnagar, voter turnout consistently exceeds 50 percent in every election.<\/p>\n
2016
\nThe BJP won only 271 out of 558 seats across the 6 municipalities.<\/p>\n
In the District Panchayats, the BJP won 292 out of 988 seats.<\/p>\n
In the Taluka Panchayats, the BJP won 1,718 out of 4,778 seats.<\/p>\n
The BJP won 984 out of 2,088 municipal seats.<\/p>\n
Despite the occurrence of criminal incidents, the State Election Commission remains silent.<\/p>\n
Reasons for Low Voter Turnout:
\nAssembly elections scheduled for November 2027.
\nA test of political strength.
\nVoter resentment and anger.
\nPerception that the elections are not worth participating in.
\nPublic holidays that do not resonate with the common people.
\nIntense heat.<\/p>\n
In the by-election for the Umreth Assembly seat, voter turnout was 59 percent.<\/p>\n
There are also doubts and suspicions regarding the voting process itself.<\/p>\n
Issues concerning roads, water supply, and monsoon flooding.<\/p>\n
Influence of traditional or social media.
\nRefusal by residents to allow BJP workers or leaders to enter their localities.
\nSignificant anger directed at BJP office-bearers who have failed to discharge their duties effectively.<\/p>\n
Opposition parties failed to effectively articulate and highlight the people’s grievances.<\/p>\n
The undemocratic methods employed by the BJP are also a contributing factor to voter apathy.<\/p>\n
In the 2024 elections, the party won 25 out of 26 seats. In the 2022 Assembly elections, the BJP won 156 out of 182 seats. In 2016, the Congress party won 23 District Panchayats and two-thirds of the Taluka Panchayats. Through direct confrontation, bribery, imposition of fines, and discriminatory tactics, the BJP has attempted to sideline opposition candidates and secure seats without a contest. In Navsari, by engineering a defection involving the Congress General Secretary, the BJP executed a maneuver that resulted in candidates failing to receive their official party mandates. The BJP takes pride in such political maneuvering, yet in the process, democracy is being undermined. In nations like North Korea and Russia, attaining power without holding elections is a common occurrence.<\/p>\n
Someone Cast a Vote
\nDuring the elections, complaints regarding bogus voting kept the system on high alert. Incidents of unauthorized voting came to light in Rajkot’s Ward No. 4\u2014where a voter named Shaileshbhai reported the issue\u2014and in Ahmedabad’s Kubernagar, involving another individual named Rahul Thakor.
\nIn Ward No. 10 of Amreli, someone cast a vote in the name of Vikram Soldiya, prompting an investigation by election officials.<\/p>\n
Despite these criminal acts, the State Election Commission remains silent.<\/p>\n
15 Municipal Corporations,
\n84 Municipalities,
\n34 District Panchayats,
\n260 Taluka Panchayats\u2014<\/p>\n
1.5 million (15 lakh) voters have been deprived of their right to vote.<\/p>\n
Total Voters:
\nUrban Voters: 14 million (1.40 crore)
\nThey will cast four votes each.<\/p>\n
Rural Voters:
\n26.1 million (2.61 crore) rural voters will cast two votes each\u2014for the Taluka and District Panchayats.<\/p>\n
Following the Special Summary Revision (SSR) process, the voter count decreased by 7.47 million (74.74 lakh).<\/p>\n
Total Voters: 41.8 million (4.18 crore)
\nUndisputed Voters: 40.2 million (4.02 crore)<\/p>\n
Parties come to power by securing merely 25 to 27 percent of the total votes. The very party that fails to secure the votes of 70 percent of the electorate is the one that ultimately assumes power.<\/p>\n
Candidates:
\n9,273 Seats
\n25,551 Candidates
\nBharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 9,268 Candidates
\nCongress: 8,476 Candidates
\nAam Aadmi Party (AAP): 5,276 Candidates<\/p>\n
In 2021, a total of 24,438 candidates were in the fray for 8,809 seats.<\/p>\n
Nine new Municipal Corporations,
\n17 new Taluka Panchayats,
\nOne new District, and new delimitation boundaries\u2014incorporating a 27 percent reservation quota\u2014have been implemented.<\/p>\n
Compared to the elections held in 2021, this election appears rather lackluster. 2025 Municipality\/District-Taluka Panchayat: 56.60%
\n2021 (6 Metropolitan Cities): 41.75% \u2013 42%
\n2015 (6 Metropolitan Cities): 45.76%
\n2010 (Metropolitan Cities): 44%
\n2005 (Metropolitan Cities): 42%\u201345%
\n2000 (Metropolitan Cities): 40%<\/p>\n
Voting rates are higher in rural areas compared to cities.
\nIn small towns, the voting rate ranges from 56% to 60%.
\nIn metropolitan areas, voting typically falls between 40% and 46%.<\/p>\n
2025 Municipality + Panchayat: 56%\u201357%
\n2021 Municipality + District\/Taluka Panchayat: 60%\u201365%
\n2015 Municipality + Panchayat: 57%\u201360%<\/p>\n
February 21, 2021
\nAhmedabad: 42.51%
\nAverage voting across the 6 municipalities: 46.08%
\nJamnagar consistently records a voter turnout of over 50% in every election.<\/p>\n
2016
\nThe BJP won only 271 out of 558 seats across the 6 municipalities.<\/p>\n
In the District Panchayats, the BJP won 292 out of 988 seats.<\/p>\n
In the Taluka Panchayats, the BJP won 1,718 out of 4,778 seats.<\/p>\n
The BJP won 984 out of the 2,088 municipal seats.<\/p>\n
Despite instances of criminal activity, the State Election Commission remains silent.<\/p>\n
Reasons for Low Voter Turnout:
\nUpcoming Assembly Elections in November 2027
\nA Test of Strength
\nVoter Dissatisfaction and Anger
\nPerception that Candidates Are Unworthy
\nPublic Holidays That Do Not Resonate with the Common People
\nIntense Heat<\/p>\n
The by-election for the Umreth Assembly seat recorded a voter turnout of 59%. There is also skepticism regarding the voting process itself.<\/p>\n
Issues concerning roads, water supply, and monsoon flooding persist.<\/p>\n
Media and social media platforms are abuzz with calls to bar BJP workers and leaders from entering their respective constituencies.<\/p>\n
There is significant anger directed at those BJP office-bearers who have failed to discharge their duties effectively.<\/p>\n
Opposition parties have failed to articulate the people’s grievances and issues with sufficient vigor.<\/p>\n
The undemocratic tactics employed by the BJP are also a contributing factor to the voters’ apathy.<\/p>\n
In the 2024 elections, the party won 25 out of 26 seats; similarly, in the 2022 Assembly elections, the BJP secured 156 out of 182 seats. In 2016, the Congress party had won 23 District Panchayats and two-thirds of the Taluka Panchayats. The BJP has attempted to secure seats uncontested\u2014without facing an actual election\u2014by employing various tactics to sideline opposition candidates, ranging from direct confrontation to bribery, imposing fines, and practicing discrimination. In Navsari, the BJP executed a strategic maneuver by poaching the Congress General Secretary, resulting in a situation where opposition candidates were left without official party mandates. While the BJP takes pride in such political maneuvering, the foundations of democracy are being undermined. In nations like North Korea and Russia, attaining power without facing an actual election is a common occurrence.<\/p>\n
Incidents of voter intimidation and harassment have been reported in the days leading up to the conclusion of the election campaign.<\/p>\n
Notable incidents and figures involved include: the ‘Bhaga Barad’ controversy; threats to tear the clothes of women chanting the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’; statements by MPs Mitesh Patel and Mansukh Vasava; the use of children for election campaigning in Una-Kodinar; and the involvement of leaders such as Gopal Italia, BJP District President Satish Patel, Harsh Sanghavi, and former BJP Minister Kesha Chauhan (in Banaskantha), as well as BJP leaders Deva Avadiya and Ganpat Vasava\u2014including threats directed at the BJP MP from Vadodara.<\/p>\n
General elections have been announced for 15 Municipal Corporations, 84 Municipalities, 34 District Panchayats, and 260 Taluka Panchayats.<\/p>\n
Voting is scheduled to take place for a total of 9,273 seats.<\/p>\n
Evening News Update:<\/p>\n
Voting is scheduled for Sunday, April 26.<\/p>\n
Following the conclusion of the election campaign, a one-hour “silence period” has now commenced. This is being dubbed the “Night of the Massacre.”<\/p>\n
1.5 Million Voters Will Be Unable to Cast Their Votes<\/p>\n
Ahead of the Gujarat local body elections, 731 candidates have been elected unopposed.<\/p>\n
In rural areas, there are 16 constituencies where all seats for the Taluka Panchayat\u2014as well as a single corresponding seat for the District Panchayat\u2014have been filled unopposed; consequently, 1.3 million voters in these areas will be unable to exercise their franchise.<\/p>\n
Despite the elections being held on Sunday, more than 1.5 million voters will be unable to cast their votes.<\/p>\n
In urban bodies\u2014specifically in wards where the entire slate of candidates was not elected unopposed\u2014voters will have the opportunity to elect one, two, or three candidates.<\/p>\n
Despite this grave injustice, the State Election Commission remains silent.<\/p>\n
Total Voters<\/p>\n
In 2021, a total of 24,438 candidates were in the fray for 8,809 seats.<\/p>\n
Urban Voters: The state’s 14 million urban voters will cast a maximum of four votes in the municipalities.<\/p>\n
Rural Voters:
\nIn rural areas, more than 26.1 million people are eligible to vote. These voters will be required to visit two separate booths (voting compartments) within the same polling station to elect representatives for both the Taluka Panchayat and the District Panchayat.<\/p>\n
Nine new Municipal Corporations,
\n17 new Taluka Panchayats,
\nOne new District, and new delimitation with 27% reservation.<\/p>\n
…have come into effect.<\/p>\n
However, compared to 2021, the elections seem rather lackluster this time around.<\/p>\n
**The Landscape of Voters and Candidates**
\nFollowing the Special Summary Revision (SSR) in the state, the total number of registered voters had declined by 74.74 lakhs, settling at 4.40 crores. When the local body elections were announced, over 4.18 crore voters were deemed eligible to cast their ballots.<\/p>\n
With voting now concluded for uncontested seats, only 4.02 crore individuals remain eligible to exercise their franchise. On Sunday, April 26, voting will take place for a total of 9,273 seats, with 25,551 candidates in the fray.<\/p>\n
Bharatiya Janata Party: 9,268 candidates<\/p>\n
Congress: 8,476 candidates<\/p>\n
Aam Aadmi Party: 5,276 candidates<\/p>\n
**Candidates Facing Criminal Charges**
\nAmong the 526 candidates fielded by the BJP, Congress, and AAP across the 48 wards of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, cases have been registered against 47 candidates under serious sections of the IPC and BNS. If one were to extrapolate this figure\u2014even conservatively\u2014to just 5% of the 30,000 candidates contesting the 10,000 seats across Gujarat, it suggests that criminal cases could potentially be registered against as many as 1,500 candidates statewide.<\/p>\n
Incidents involving the holding of unlawful assemblies, obstruction of government duties, violation of official notifications, criminal conspiracy, and the dissemination of misinformation and rumors have also been reported.<\/p>\n
Several incidents involving the intimidation and physical assault of voters have occurred across Gujarat.<\/p>\n
**0101 | Gir Somnath**
\nBhaga Barad, the BJP MLA from Talala, was confronted by a female voter from Kadvar village who attacked him while complaining about a shortage of water supply.
\nBarad stepped down from the stage and advanced toward the woman in an attempt to silence her. He intimidated her and refused to allow her to speak or be heard.
\nMLA Barad, who had visited the area to solicit votes, instructed the constituents not to ask questions during the meeting. On one hand, the BJP speaks of the ‘Nari Vandana Act,’ yet on the other, its MLAs display a completely different attitude toward women.
\nJust yesterday, a video of one of them threatening the Ahir community went viral.<\/p>\n
Bhaga Barad finds himself embroiled in controversies time and again.<\/p>\n
**Controversies**
\nWhen voters were prevented from entering the polling stations, he began threatening BJP leaders.
\nThe election appeared to be slipping out of their grasp.
\nThe most serious incident occurred in Vadodara, where voters were allegedly intimidated.
\nVoters were also threatened in Somnath.
\nIn Surat, BJP leaders threatened to humiliate female voters and tear their clothes.<\/p>\n
The Election Commission has failed to take action against a single one of them.<\/p>\n
Something has happened in this election that has never happened before.
\nLeaders currently in power\u2014elected representatives\u2014are openly engaging in hooliganism and thuggery.
\nFirst, they intimidated candidates; now, they are threatening voters, warning them that if they do not vote for the BJP, they will receive no assistance. They threaten to harass them, demolish their homes, target their communities, and withhold government grants.<\/p>\n
BJP leaders, candidates, MPs, and MLAs are issuing open threats, implying that far from upholding the motto of *’Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’* (Support of All, Development for All), they will actively deny development to anyone who refuses to vote for them.<\/p>\n
**1**
\n**The Most Serious Incident in Surat**
\nIn Surat, BJP leaders and party workers, intoxicated by the power they wield, crossed all boundaries of decency. In Ward No. 11, a BJP candidate and his supporters attacked a group of women who were reciting the *Hanuman Chalisa* in an effort to save a local temple. They went so far as to threaten to tear the women’s clothes. This is utterly shameful.
\nIn the Althan area of \u200b\u200bSurat, residents of the Soham Society expressed their “anger” and resentment against the BJP candidate, Dharmesh Patel.<\/p>\n
**Surat**
\nIn Ward No. 3 of Surat, local residents raised numerous questions regarding the BJP candidate’s performance and work over the past five years.<\/p>\n
**2**
\n“Our government\u2014at every level\u2014will simply not work for you.” MLA Manisha Vakil, Vadodara<\/p>\n
3
\nMP Mitesh Patel’s Threat \u2013 Anand \u2013 In the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, BJP MP Mitesh Patel stated that if a Congress candidate wins even a single seat in the District Panchayat or Taluka Panchayat within the enclave areas, he would not allow a single rupee to be allocated there as a grant.<\/p>\n
4
\nBhaga Barad (BJP)<\/p>\n
Somnath MLA Bhaga Barad intimidated voters on the basis of caste. 5 Mansukh Vasava Slapped \u2013 [His] Wife [Alleged]: Ganpat Vasava\u2014a former Minister, former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, and President of the BJP Tribal Front\u2014physically exploits tribal women. She leveled allegations regarding his character, claiming that he exploits female party workers. 6 Education Minister and Dinu Bogha campaigned among children in Una-Kodinar. 7 BJP MLA Issued Threats. 9 Gopal’s Thuggery \u2013 Verbal Abuse in Visavadar \u2013 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Visavadar, Gopal Italia, misused the microphone during an election campaign rally. 10 Karjan \u2013 Vadodara: “If you do not vote [for us], I will not let a single house remain standing.” During the general elections for the Karjan Municipality in Vadodara district, Satish Patel\u2014the District President of the Bharatiya Janata Party\u2014intimidated voters from a public platform. “If you ensure the victory of all four BJP candidates… then your homes will not be demolished; but if you betray me, I won’t leave a single house standing…”<\/p>\n
11
\nBJP intimidates a candidate in Vadodara<\/p>\n
12
\nIn Bhavnagar, a Congress candidate was forced to flee due to fears of kidnapping<\/p>\n
13
\nMehsana: Money-related blackmail<\/p>\n
14
\nHow much money was exchanged to fund the electoral battle?<\/p>\n
19
\nVishwa Hindu Parishad<\/p>\n
20
\n720 Candidates | Harsh Sanghavi
\nIn 725 instances where candidacies were withdrawn, the BJP secured victory unopposed.
\nThe BJP secured unopposed victories in three municipalities: Kadi, Unjha, and Gandevi.<\/p>\n
21
\nStop the murder of democracy!<\/p>\n
22
\nThose responsible for the deaths of 12 children in Vadodara<\/p>\n
23
\nDistribution of cash in Dahod<\/p>\n
24
\nHigh-handedness by BJP workers<\/p>\n
25
\nMonetary transactions<\/p>\n
26
\nSurat EVM: 18 votes recorded at Udhna School<\/p>\n
27
\nIndefinite hunger strike against Shankar Chaudhary in Vav-Tharad<\/p>\n
28
\nAmit Chavda<\/p>\n
29
\nVadodara BJP MP intimidates officials
\nVadodara
\nWhen MLA Keyur Rokadia and MP Hemang Joshi went out to campaign in Ward No. 8 of Vadodara city, they…<\/p>\n
…also faced opposition and questions from local residents.<\/p>\n
Vadodara
\nThe Congress party faced opposition in Ward No. 1 of Vadodara.<\/p>\n
30
\nRiot<\/p>\n
31
\nRajkot
\nIn Ward No. 15 of Rajkot, the brother of BJP candidate Nilesh Herabha intimidated and threatened Congress candidate Vashram Sagathiya in front of the public.<\/p>\n
Gondal
\nThe BJP created an atmosphere of fear and inducement in Gondal.
\nWhen Irfan Gaffar\u2014alias ‘Don’\u2014was denied a ticket for the Gondal Municipality elections, he threatened to stab the candidate who received the ticket, along with the candidate’s family.<\/p>\n
According to Dinesh Patar, members of the local Valmiki community in Ward No. 7 were unwilling to contest the elections due to the fear of harassment by the BJP.<\/p>\n
Rajkot
\nA complaint was lodged alleging that a Police Inspector (PI) who was currently on leave had intimidated local residents.<\/p>\n
Bhuj
\nThe AIM party intimidated residents near Bharatnagar Chowkdi in Bhuj.<\/p>\n
Zubair Iqbal Maniyar filed a complaint against the Congress party, alleging that they had extorted money through intimidation.<\/p>\n
Ahmedabad \u2013 India Colony
\nIn the India Colony area of \u200b\u200bAhmedabad city\u2014specifically in the ‘Navi Chali’ section near Ashok Mill\u2014a BJP worker who had arrived to campaign alongside a BJP candidate was assaulted by a local resident named Hasmukh Vora. Vora reportedly slapped the worker and stated that BJP members should not come to this area to campaign.<\/p>\n
He grabbed Dheeraj Rathod by the collar, began verbally abusing him, slapped him multiple times across the face, and shoved him to the ground.<\/p>\n
Banaskantha
\nIn Banaskantha, former BJP Minister Kesha Chauhan warned voters: “If your mind wavers [in your choice], Lord Hanuman will strike you with his mace. If the Congress party wins again, your development-related work will come to a standstill.”
\nIn Dhanera, Banaskantha, BJP leader and former candidate Bhagwandas Patel issued a veiled threat to voters, implying that if they did not vote for the BJP, no development work would be undertaken in the area in the future. If you want work, you must vote for the Lotus.<\/p>\n
Morbi \u2013 Threats in the Name of Religion
\nDuring the Morbi Municipal Corporation elections, BJP leader Deva Avadiya stated that if his ticket were denied, he prayed that God would grant peace to the souls of those responsible within three months. To this end, he has kept an *Akhand Diya* (perpetual lamp) burning at his home. Morbi MLA and State Minister Kanti Amrutia made this statement without explicitly naming anyone.<\/p>\n
Ahmedabad \u2013 Love Jihad
\nIn Ahmedabad, Abdul Ahad, the AIMIM candidate from the Jamalpur ward, alleged that four Muslim youths in Ahmedabad were beaten by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the name of “Love Jihad.” He claimed that the youths were attacked by activists from the Parishad and the Bajrang Dal, and a police complaint regarding the incident has been filed. He vowed, “We will teach them a lesson.”
\nIn response, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad retorted that not four, but 400 people were beaten\u2014and were even made to perform the “Nagin Dance.”<\/p>\n
Bharuch
\nIn Jhagadia, Congress worker Mitesh Padhiyar was arrested on charges of extorting money from members of the Industrial Association and government officials by threatening them in the name of election funds.<\/p>\n
Protests<\/p>\n
Candidates Withdraw Nominations<\/p>\n
Candidates are being coerced\u2014through inducements, bribery, and threats\u2014to withdraw their nomination forms. This is particularly prevalent among female candidates. Questions are also being raised regarding the very intent behind introducing the 33% reservation policy: is this reservation truly for empowerment, or is it merely for show?
\nSerious questions have also been raised regarding the conduct of the Election Commission, the police, and other government agencies, as the Model Code of Conduct is being openly violated.<\/p>\n
In Rajkot, Heena Pratap Lalu, the Congress candidate for the Mewasa seat in the Jetpur Taluka Panchayat, withdrew her nomination.<\/p>\n
Congress candidate Rajveer Vasava withdrew his nomination for the Bharuch Municipality elections.<\/p>\n
In Valsad, a candidate withdrew their nomination form for the Nanakwada seat in the District Panchayat.<\/p>\n
In the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, a candidate withdrew their candidacy.<\/p>\n
The Pedhala seat in the Rajkot District Panchayat.<\/p>\n
The Khanpar seat in the Morbi District Panchayat. In Dahod Municipality<\/p>\n
In the Sayla Taluka Panchayat of Surendranagar District<\/p>\n
The Sudamda seat in Surendranagar<\/p>\n
Rajkot Municipal Corporation<\/p>\n
The Radhu seat of the Kheda District Panchayat<\/p>\n
Dahod Municipality<\/p>\n
The Jujva seat of the Valsad Taluka Panchayat<\/p>\n
In Bhavnagar<\/p>\n
The Taluka Panchayat of Nikoda village in Himmatnagar<\/p>\n
(Google Translation from Gujarati)<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Voting turnout stood at 49.02% in Municipal Corporations, 59.50% in Municipalities, 61.69% in District Panchayats, and 62.38% in Taluka Panchayats. **Voting Figures Released** 15 Municipal Corporations: 49.02% voting 84 Municipalities: 59.50% voting 11 Municipal By-elections: 55.38% voting 34 District Panchayats: 61.69% voting 260 Taluka Panchayats: 62.38% voting **Complaints Received During the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections** […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":53915,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[14826,14827],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/allgujaratnews.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/\u0aae\u0acb\u0a9f\u0ac7\u0ab0\u0abe.jpg?fit=885%2C468&ssl=1","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paUKPQ-e1z","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53913"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53913"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53913\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53918,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53913\/revisions\/53918"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53915"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}