Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are set to exercise their franchise in Ahmedabad on Sunday, April 27, as Gujarat holds one of its largest local self-government elections in recent memory. The high-profile participation underscores the political significance of these civic polls, which will determine governance across 15 municipal corporations, 84 municipalities, 34 district panchayats, and 260 taluka panchayats — with more than 10,000 seats at stake.

Where Modi and Shah Will Cast Their Votes

PM Narendra Modi is expected to vote at a polling booth situated at Nishan School in the Ranip area of Ahmedabad. Amit Shah, who represents the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, is also likely to cast his ballot at a designated polling station within the city.

Former Chief Minister and Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel is expected to vote from the Thaltej area of Ahmedabad, while Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel is likely to cast his vote in Navsari. The visible participation of senior constitutional figures signals the BJP's intent to energise its voter base across the state.

Scale and Scope of Gujarat Civic Polls 2025

Polling is scheduled between 7 AM and 6 PM using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), with vote counting set for April 28. Over 4.19 crore voters are registered to participate across nearly 50,000 polling stations spread throughout the state.

More than 20,000 candidates remain in the contest after withdrawals, while several candidates have already been declared elected unopposed. The multi-cornered fight involves the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Indian National Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and a significant number of Independent candidates.

Historic OBC Reservation Reshapes Local Governance

This election cycle carries landmark significance as it is the first civic election in Gujarat to be conducted following the implementation of 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs). This new quota is layered on top of existing reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women.

Together, these overlapping reservations are expected to fundamentally reshape the social and political composition of local governance bodies across Gujarat. Analysts note that OBC communities — who constitute a substantial share of Gujarat's electorate — could emerge as decisive kingmakers in closely contested wards.

Notably, the Supreme Court had previously struck down Maharashtra's OBC reservation in local body elections in 2021, citing the absence of empirical data on backwardness. Gujarat's implementation, backed by a dedicated commission's findings, is being watched as a potential model for other states navigating the same legal challenge.

Political Stakes and What Comes Next

For the BJP, which has dominated Gujarat's political landscape for over two decades, these elections serve as a critical gauge of grassroots support ahead of future state and national electoral cycles. A strong showing would reinforce the party's narrative of uninterrupted dominance in Prime Minister Modi's home state.

The AAP, which made inroads in Gujarat during the 2022 Assembly elections by securing its first seats in the state legislature, views these civic polls as an opportunity to consolidate its urban presence. Congress, meanwhile, is attempting to rebuild its organisational strength at the ground level after successive electoral setbacks.

With results expected on April 28, the outcome will offer the clearest signal yet of how Gujarat's voters are aligning ahead of the next major electoral contest — and whether the BJP's local machinery remains as formidable as its state-level record suggests.