Gujarat Local Body Elections Commence, BJP Secures 215 Seats Without Contest
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Synopsis
Voting for the Gujarat local body elections commenced today, with the BJP already winning 215 seats unopposed. The elections include the Junagadh Municipal Corporation and various municipalities. This election is significant as it follows the introduction of OBC reservations.
Key Takeaways
- Voting began at 7 a.m. on Sunday
- BJP has won 215 seats unopposed
- Election includes Junagadh Municipal Corporation
- OBC reservation introduced in 2023
- Strict security measures in place for elections
Ahmedabad, Feb 16 (NationPress) The local body elections in Gujarat commenced at 7 a.m. on Sunday and will run until 6 p.m., with counting set for Tuesday. These elections encompass the Junagadh Municipal Corporation, 68 municipalities, and three taluka panchayats.
This marks the inaugural local body election following the Gujarat government's announcement of a 27 percent OBC reservation in municipalities and panchayats earlier in 2023.
Remarkably, prior to the voting, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has already claimed 215 seats unopposed, which represents almost 10 percent of the total seats available for contest.
It has been reported that these seats had only one candidate remaining after the withdrawal of others, thus negating the need for a contest. Currently, there are still 5,084 candidates actively participating in the elections across the state.
Of the BJP's unopposed victories, 196 seats are within municipalities, 10 are for district and taluka panchayats, and nine belong to the Junagadh Municipal Corporation. These victories occurred as rival candidates withdrew their nominations, facilitating uncontested wins.
To ensure that the elections are conducted in a peaceful and fair manner, the Election Commission along with local authorities have instituted rigorous security measures. Police have been stationed at polling locations, and enhanced monitoring systems have been established to oversee the electoral process.
Gujarat boasts a significant electoral history. The initial elections in the region took place in 1934 when it was a part of the Bombay Presidency, with Ahmedabad electing Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar, who subsequently became the Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly.
Since its establishment in 1960, Gujarat has routinely held local body elections aimed at bolstering grassroots governance. The State Election Commission of Gujarat supervises these elections, ensuring that they are conducted freely and fairly.
In the 2021 local elections, over 8,235 seats were contested, with 237 candidates being elected unopposed.
