New Delhi: Results of the Gujarat local body elections will be announced today. The outcome of the municipal elections in Gujarat, regarded as a key litmus test for political parties ahead of the next year’s Assembly elections, is expected to reflect the general mood of voters.
The state recorded a voter turnout of 55.1 per cent for all 15 municipal corporations, while the polling percentage for municipalities, district panchayats and taluka panchayats stood at 65.53 per cent, 66.64 per cent, and 67.26 per cent, respectively, according to the Election Commission.
Voting was held in 15 municipal corporations, 84 municipalities, 34 district panchayats, and 260 taluka panchayats covering 9,200 seats. More than 4.18 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise.
Nine newly-created municipal corporations, including Navsari, Gandhidham, Morbi, Vapi, Anand, Nadiad, Mehsana, Porbandar and Surendranagar, voted for the first time.
Who are the key players
The Gujarat local body polls were seen as a triangular contest between the ruling BJP, the opposition Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In a first for AAP, the Kejriwal-led party contested around 5,000 seats in local polls. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) also contested multiple seats. Other players include the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Independents.
Key candidates
The results will decide the fate of several prominent candidates, including former Gujarat-cadre IPS officer ML Ninama, ex-radio jockey Abha Desai, and former AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani.
Last local body polls outcome
In March 2021, the BJP registered a thumping victory in the local polls in Gujarat, winning 6,236 out of 8,470 seats across various municipalities. There was a wide gap between the BJP and rival Congress’ vote count. The BJP had then dominated all six municipal corporations, 81 municipalities, 32 district panchayats, and 231 taluka panchayats