Manjalpur bypoll 2025: Voter turnout hits 34.35% by 5 pm on July 30
Synopsis
Gujarat's Manjalpur bypoll — triggered by the death of sitting BJP MLA Yogesh Patel — drew 34.35% turnout by 5 pm on 30 July, with a direct BJP-Congress fight shaping up between Satish Patel and Bhikha Rabari. With over 2.19 lakh voters and 100% CCTV coverage across 260 booths, the result on 3 August will signal the ruling BJP's hold on a seat it has long dominated.
Key Takeaways
Manjalpur bypoll in Gujarat recorded 34.35% voter turnout by 5 pm on 30 July 2025 , per ECI data.
The seat fell vacant following the death of BJP MLA and former minister Yogesh Patel .
BJP has fielded Satish Patel ; Congress has nominated Bhikha Rabari in a direct two-party contest.
Total electorate stands at 2,19,494 , including 1,634 PwD voters, 1,406 aged 85+, and 12 centenarians .
All 260 polling stations were under 100% live webcasting and CCTV surveillance.
Vote counting is scheduled for 3 August 2025 .
The bye-election to Gujarat's Manjalpur Assembly constituency recorded a 34.35 per cent voter turnout by 5 pm on 30 July, according to data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Polling progressed steadily through the day across 260 polling stations spread over 62 locations in Vadodara, with officials reporting a largely peaceful exercise.
How Turnout Built Through the Day
Participation climbed gradually from 6.06 per cent at 10 am to 14.27 per cent by 12.30 pm, reaching 21.66 per cent by 2 pm before closing at 34.35 per cent by 5 pm. Voting continued at polling stations until the scheduled closing time, with election officials monitoring proceedings under extensive security and surveillance arrangements.
Who Is Contesting and Why the Seat Fell Vacant
The bypoll was necessitated by the death of veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and former Gujarat minister Yogesh Patel, who had represented Manjalpur for several terms. The contest is a direct fight between the BJP and the Indian National Congress (Congress). The BJP has fielded Satish Patel, a former Vadodara Municipal Corporation councillor and former BJP Vadodara district president. Congress has nominated Bhikha Rabari, the party's Gujarat vice-president and a former state minister.
Voter Profile and Accessibility Measures
A total of 2,19,494 electors are eligible to vote — comprising 1,11,645 men, 1,07,847 women, and 2 third-gender voters. The electoral roll includes 1,634 Persons with Disabilities (PwD), 1,406 voters aged 85 years and above, and 12 centenarians. Ahead of polling day, 107 voters — including 90 senior citizens — exercised their franchise through the home voting facility. All polling stations were equipped with ramps, drinking water, electricity, and toilets. Two stations were managed entirely by women personnel, two by PwD staff, and five were designated as model polling stations.
Technology and Security on the Ground
The ECI deployed several technology-driven measures for the bypoll. All 260 polling stations were under 100 per cent live webcasting and CCTV surveillance. Mobile deposit counters were placed outside booths to help voters secure their phones before entering. Presiding Officers updated polling percentages every two hours via the ECINET application.
Minor Incident, Counting Date
Polling remained largely peaceful, though a brief confrontation was reported outside a polling station at Panchsheel Vidyalaya, where BJP and Congress workers accused each other of violating election norms. Police intervened and confirmed that voting continued without disruption. Counting of votes is scheduled for 3 August.
Point of View
But the real story is the political symbolism. Manjalpur was a BJP stronghold under Yogesh Patel for several terms; losing it now would hand Congress a rare urban Gujarat foothold ahead of the next assembly cycle. Bhikha Rabari's nomination as a former minister signals Congress is treating this as a prestige contest, not a token fight. The BJP's choice of a municipal-level functionary in Satish Patel, rather than a more prominent face, could either reflect confidence in the seat or a reluctance to risk a higher-profile candidate. The result on 3 August will be read as a temperature check on the ruling party's urban Gujarat standing.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Manjalpur bypoll and why is it being held?
The Manjalpur bypoll is a bye-election to the Manjalpur Assembly constituency in Gujarat's Vadodara district, held on 30 July 2025. It was necessitated by the death of sitting BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Yogesh Patel, who had represented the seat for several terms.
What was the voter turnout in the Manjalpur bypoll?
Voter turnout in the Manjalpur bypoll reached 34.35 per cent by 5 pm on 30 July 2025, according to data released by the Election Commission of India. Participation built gradually from 6.06% at 10 am through the day.
Who are the main candidates in the Manjalpur bypoll?
The contest is a direct fight between the BJP's Satish Patel — a former Vadodara Municipal Corporation councillor and former BJP Vadodara district president — and Congress's Bhikha Rabari, the party's Gujarat vice-president and a former state minister.
When will Manjalpur bypoll votes be counted?
Counting of votes for the Manjalpur bypoll is scheduled for 3 August 2025.
What security and technology measures were deployed for the Manjalpur bypoll?
All 260 polling stations were covered by 100% live webcasting and CCTV surveillance. Mobile deposit counters were set up outside booths, and Presiding Officers updated turnout figures every two hours via the ECINET application. The Election Commission also designated model polling stations and stations managed by women and PwD personnel.
