Even though the ruling party is way ahead as per opinion polls, there is still some outside chance for the opposition to pounce upon and make good in the final analysis in a last minute ditch. Voting was held in 89 constituencies in Gujarat in the first phase of the high-stakes Assembly elections. A total of 21.2 million voters are expected to cast their votes at 24,689 polling stations in Saurashtra and South Gujarat. A total of 977 candidates are contesting, including Chief Minister Vijay Rupani are contesting. Any malfunctioning of EVMs are ruled out and secured in a strong room. The list of candidates is in alphabetical order party wise and independent candidates followed the main list of candidates. The Election Commission gave an assurance to the country that it would leave no stone unturned in preserving the integrity and credibility of the elections.
Chitra Rugmini
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
