The second and final phase of polling in Gujarat saw a moderate turnout of 68.7 per cent, against the 66.75 per cent recorded in the first round of elections last week.
The figures were released by the Election Commission after close of polling at 5 pm on Thursday.
In 2012, overall polling for the North Gujarat region stood at 75 per cent, and 72 per cent for Central Gujarat. The districts in the second phase of the 2012 polls were different, and hence comparable figures weren’t available.
Barring a few minor incidents, polling remained largely peaceful, the EC stated.
Commenting on the two-phase elections, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani expressed confidence of forming the next government with over 150 seats in the 182-seat Assembly.
“The voting in two phases that we have seen will help the BJP’s take its tally to 150+. The BJP has received overwhelming support from the voters and we thank all those who have voted. The BJP is going to form the government in the State for the next five years and move ahead in the direction of development,” Rupani said, addressing the media in Ahmedabad.
On the other hand, Congress candidate from Porbandar and former chief of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, Arjun Modhwadia, stated that the BJP misused its power to suppress the opponents and the media. “This election will end the BJP’s rule in the State,” he said.
Few EVM malfunctions
On Thursday, the Election Commission received complaints of EVM malfunctioning and also of the devices being connected to mobile devices through bluetooth which were found to be false. Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain said that as compared to the first phase, less than 50 per cent cases of EVM replacements were reported in the second round.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cast his vote in Ranip, as a large crowd cheered him. Modi stood in a queue before exercising his franchise. Later, he stood on his vehicle displaying his ink-stained index finger to the crowds, an act which the Congress termed it a ‘roadshow’. The opposition party also raised a complaint with the EC for poll-code violation.
Swain said the Ahmedabad District Election Officer was asked to inquire into the complaint.
Political heavyweights who cast their votes included BJP veteran and former deputy prime minister LK Advani (Khanpur), BJP chief Amit Shah (Naranpura), Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, former CM Anandiben Patel.
The election is being seen as a “prestige battle” for Prime Minister Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi, and crucial for national politics ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
In 2012, the BJP had won 52 of the 93 seats that went to the polls on Thursday. The Congress currently has 39 seats, and the NCP and independents one each. The voter turnout in 2012 for North Gujarat was 75 per cent, while Central Gujarat had 72 per cent.
The exit polls by several survey agencies have hinted at a possible BJP government in the State with comfortable lead.