Gujarat elections: 63% turnout in phase 1 voting

The Election Commission announced on Friday that the first phase of the Gujarat assembly elections across 89 seats recorded a turnout of 63.31%, a dip of nearly four percentage points from the figure in these constituencies five years ago.

In 2017, a turnout of 66.79% was recorded in the same seats in the first phase of polling.

Narmada district registered the maximum turnout of 78.42%, according to the poll body. The tribal-dominated district of Tapi recorded the second-highest polling percentage of 77.04%.

Botad in Saurashtra region registered the lowest turnout of 57.59%. Amreli district followed closely with 57.60%

More than 10 districts recorded more than 60% voting.

Surat district recorded 62.23% voting and Rajkot 60.63%.

“Barring a few incidents, the polling was largely peaceful,” Gujarat chief electoral officer P Bharti said.

In these 89 seats in 2017, the BJP won 48 with a vote share of 49.3%, and the Congress won 38 with 41.7% votes.