4.6 lakh new voters among 4.9 cr electors in 2-phase Gujarat polls

The Election Commission of India on Thursday announced the schedule of the assembly elections in the state of Gujarat. Elections for 182 constituencies will take place in two phases on December 1 and December 5. Date of counting is December 8 as per the schedule.

In the first phase on December 1, a total of 89 assembly constituencies will go to polls. The last date for filing nominations for the first phase is November 14. 93 constituencies will go to polls in the second phase and the deadline to file the nomination is November 17.

Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner appealed to the voters to participate in the upcoming elections with full fervour. “The tenure of the current State Legislative Assembly of Gujarat is ending on 18/02/2023. There are 182 assembly constituencies in the state. Of these 142 are general, 13 SC and 27 ST,” Kumar said.

“Final electoral roll has been published and handed over to the political parties. 4.9 crore electors will participate in the upcoming election. There are 4.6 lakh young first time voters in the age group of 18-19 years,” Kumar said adding that the total number of polling stations in the state is 51,782.

In the upcoming Gujarat election, while the ruling BJP has been in power for over two decades since 1998, the Aam Aadmi Party is trying to make inroads into the state. Earlier this year, AAP swept the Punjab assembly elections defeating the Congress party in the state. In Gujarat too, AAP is resorting to promises of freebies such as a cash transfer of Rs 1000 to every woman above the age of 18.

It remains to be seen whether the party will become a challenger to the ruling BJP, which is also putting all its might to save its turf. Union home minister Amit Shah is on a four day visit to the state.