Elections
Gujarat assembly election 2017 live: Voting in the first phase of the Gujarat election will end at 5 pm
Here are the live updates of phase 1 of Gujarat election 2017:
Surat's closely watched 12 assembly seats
People show their inked fingers after casting their vote in Surat's Majura in the Gujarat assembly election 2017. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator (MLA) Harsh Sanghvi is contesting against Congress's Ashok Kothari.
This seat was formed after the 2008 delimitation. As the commercial capital of Gujarat, Surat has always been high-maintenance for politicians. But in this election, when it is seen as reviewing its steadfast loyalty to the BJP, its political intensity has peaked.
People show their inked fingers after casting their vote in Surat's Majura in the Gujarat assembly election 2017. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator (MLA) Harsh Sanghvi is contesting against Congress's Ashok Kothari.
This seat was formed after the 2008 delimitation. As the commercial capital of Gujarat, Surat has always been high-maintenance for politicians. But in this election, when it is seen as reviewing its steadfast loyalty to the BJP, its political intensity has peaked.
Voter participation "soul of democracy", says Rahul Gandhi
As voting started in the Gujarat assembly election 2017, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi tweeted that the participation of voters is the "soul of democracy". "I welcome the young voters who are exercising their franchise for the first time. I appeal the people of Gujarat to vote in large numbers and make this celebration of the democratic festival successful," said Rahul Gandhi, who is set to become Congress chief soon.
As voting started in the Gujarat assembly election 2017, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi tweeted that the participation of voters is the "soul of democracy". "I welcome the young voters who are exercising their franchise for the first time. I appeal the people of Gujarat to vote in large numbers and make this celebration of the democratic festival successful," said Rahul Gandhi, who is set to become Congress chief soon.
The battle of Surat
The battle for the 12 seats in Surat, the diamond and textile hub and a BJP stronghold, is being seen as a referendum on the notes ban and new national tax GST. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has urged traders to punish the BJP, alleging that its mega reforms have brought small business to their knees.
People stand in a queue to cast their vote in the Gujarat assembly election 2017
The battle for the 12 seats in Surat, the diamond and textile hub and a BJP stronghold, is being seen as a referendum on the notes ban and new national tax GST. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has urged traders to punish the BJP, alleging that its mega reforms have brought small business to their knees.
People stand in a queue to cast their vote in the Gujarat assembly election 2017
Vijay Rupani has arrived at a polling station in Rajkot West
Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP leader Vijay Rupani has arrived at a polling booth in Rajkot West to cast his vote in the Gujarat election 2017. Gujarat's Rajkot-West seat has traditionally been a BJP fortress and considered safe for the ruling party, which has been representing it since 1985. This time, however, the elections in this constituency could get exciting with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani facing a challenger in Congress' Indranil Rajyaguru, the sitting MLA from Rajkot-East and the richest candidate in the Gujarat election.
Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP leader Vijay Rupani has arrived at a polling booth in Rajkot West to cast his vote in the Gujarat election 2017. Gujarat's Rajkot-West seat has traditionally been a BJP fortress and considered safe for the ruling party, which has been representing it since 1985. This time, however, the elections in this constituency could get exciting with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani facing a challenger in Congress' Indranil Rajyaguru, the sitting MLA from Rajkot-East and the richest candidate in the Gujarat election.
BJP Gujarat chief Jitubhai Vaghani casts his vote
BJP Gujarat chief Jitubhai Vaghani casts his vote in Bhavnagar. In 2012, the BJP had swept the elections in this cotton and groundnut belt, which contributes to as much as 35 per cent of the state's production. In Amreli, it won five of the six seats. In Bhavnagar, it won eight of the nine seats. But poor rain and bollworm attack has taken a heavy toll on the cotton crop this year. On top of it, the minimum support price or MSP for cotton and groundnut has resulted in huge losses, farmers say.
BJP Gujarat chief Jitubhai Vaghani casts his vote in Bhavnagar. In 2012, the BJP had swept the elections in this cotton and groundnut belt, which contributes to as much as 35 per cent of the state's production. In Amreli, it won five of the six seats. In Bhavnagar, it won eight of the nine seats. But poor rain and bollworm attack has taken a heavy toll on the cotton crop this year. On top of it, the minimum support price or MSP for cotton and groundnut has resulted in huge losses, farmers say.
Voting starts on 89 seats in Gujarat election 2017
Voting for the first phase of the Gujarat assembly election began at 8 am on 89 seats of Saurashtra and south Gujarat regions. The election is viewed as a prestige battle for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of soon-to-be Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, news agency PTI reported. While PM Modi addressed some 15 rallies, Rahul Gandhi spent more than seven days in Saurashtra and south Gujarat, addressing a number of meetings.
People stand in queue outside a polling station in the first phase of Gujarat election 2017
Voting for the first phase of the Gujarat assembly election began at 8 am on 89 seats of Saurashtra and south Gujarat regions. The election is viewed as a prestige battle for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of soon-to-be Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, news agency PTI reported. While PM Modi addressed some 15 rallies, Rahul Gandhi spent more than seven days in Saurashtra and south Gujarat, addressing a number of meetings.
People stand in queue outside a polling station in the first phase of Gujarat election 2017
Most-watched contest in Gujarat election 2017 first phase
Today's most-watched contest in the Gujarat election is in Saurashtra in Rajkot West, where legislator and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani battles it out with the Congress's Indraneel Rajyaguru. Other major contests feature senior minister Babubhai Bokhiria, the Congress' Arjun Modhwadia and former Finance and Power Minister Saurabh Patel.
Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP leader Vijay Rupani prays as polling starts in the first phase of Gujarat assembly election 2017 today
Today's most-watched contest in the Gujarat election is in Saurashtra in Rajkot West, where legislator and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani battles it out with the Congress's Indraneel Rajyaguru. Other major contests feature senior minister Babubhai Bokhiria, the Congress' Arjun Modhwadia and former Finance and Power Minister Saurabh Patel.
Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP leader Vijay Rupani prays as polling starts in the first phase of Gujarat assembly election 2017 today
Candidates with criminal cases in Gujarat election phase 1
The BJP has fielded candidates with 22 criminal cases in the first phase of the Gujarat assembly election, while the rival Congress has fielded 31 candidates who have criminal cases filed against them. Four candidates of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have criminal cases against them, while two candidates of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are facing criminal cases.
The BJP has fielded candidates with 22 criminal cases in the first phase of the Gujarat assembly election, while the rival Congress has fielded 31 candidates who have criminal cases filed against them. Four candidates of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have criminal cases against them, while two candidates of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are facing criminal cases.
#GujaratElection2017| Polling to begin shortly for phase-1 of #GujaratElections, a look at candidates with criminal cases
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 9, 2017
Track #AssemblyElections2017 coverage: https://t.co/LpfcFgEPtg
LIVE updates: https://t.co/A1TyXVSsSFpic.twitter.com/24uOQY51Jn
Voting in Gujarat election 2017 starts now
People have started voting in the Gujarat assembly election 2017. Polling will end at 5 pm today. As people headed to polling stations, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said, "People should come out in large numbers to vote. We are very confident, no question of any challenge."
People have started voting in the Gujarat assembly election 2017. Polling will end at 5 pm today. As people headed to polling stations, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said, "People should come out in large numbers to vote. We are very confident, no question of any challenge."
Voting for the first phase of Gujarat elections will begin soon, at 8 am. Security personnel seen conducting last minute checks at a polling booth in Piraman village in Bharuch's Ankleshwar.
The smallest assembly constituency by size in Gujarat in the first phase is Karanj at 4 square kilometres; the largest is Abdasa at 6,278 sqkm. The constituency with the least number of voters is Surat North with 1,57,250, and the highest number of voters is in Kamrej with 4,28,695, according to the Election Commission.
The maximum number of candidates in a single constituency in the first phase of the Gujarat election 2017 is at Jamnagar Rural, where 27 candidates are contesting.
The least number of candidates in a single constituency is in Jhagadia (ST) and Gandevi (ST) with only three candidates each, according to the Election Commission.
920 men and 57 women candidates contesting first phase of Gujarat's assembly election
Out of the total 977 candidates contesting in the first phase, 920 are men and 57 women. Some of the prominent candidates in the first phase of Gujarat election 2017 include Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Vijay Rupani (Rajkot West), and Congress's Shaktisinh Gohil (Mandvi) and Paresh Dhanani (Amreli).
Out of the total 977 candidates contesting in the first phase, 920 are men and 57 women. Some of the prominent candidates in the first phase of Gujarat election 2017 include Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Vijay Rupani (Rajkot West), and Congress's Shaktisinh Gohil (Mandvi) and Paresh Dhanani (Amreli).
Election Commission says 2.12 crore people are eligible to vote in first phase
According to the Election Commission, 2.12 crore people are eligible to vote in the first phase of the Gujarat assembly election. The Election Commission has deployed 27,158 electronic voting machines or EVMs in the first phase of the Gujarat election. The total number of polling booths in the first phase is 24,689.
According to the Election Commission, 2.12 crore people are eligible to vote in the first phase of the Gujarat assembly election. The Election Commission has deployed 27,158 electronic voting machines or EVMs in the first phase of the Gujarat election. The total number of polling booths in the first phase is 24,689.
PM Modi tweets as Gujarat set to vote
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tweeted on the first phase of the Gujarat elections. In the tweet, he said "Phase 1 of Gujarat polls begin. Urging all those voting today to turnout in record numbers and vote. I particularly call upon youngsters to exercise their franchise."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tweeted on the first phase of the Gujarat elections. In the tweet, he said "Phase 1 of Gujarat polls begin. Urging all those voting today to turnout in record numbers and vote. I particularly call upon youngsters to exercise their franchise."
89 assembly constituencies set to vote in first phase
People in 89 assembly constituencies in Saurashtra and south Gujarat regions will vote in the first phase. Voting will start at 8 am and end at 5 pm. A total of 977 candidates will contest in the first phase of the Gujarat assembly elections. The BJP has been in power in Gujarat for the past 22 years.
People in 89 assembly constituencies in Saurashtra and south Gujarat regions will vote in the first phase. Voting will start at 8 am and end at 5 pm. A total of 977 candidates will contest in the first phase of the Gujarat assembly elections. The BJP has been in power in Gujarat for the past 22 years.
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