Highlights

4.09 pm ISTVoter turnout recorded 47% till 2pm
3.16 pm ISTRahul’s interview: EC Officials to decide if model code violated
3.01 pm ISTBJP retorts back at Congress on EC remarks
2.44 pm ISTChidambaram raps EC for issuing Rahul show cause notice
2.29 pm ISTEC acting like BJP’s puppet, PM’s ‘roadshow’ violation of model code
2.01 pm ISTBJP’s L K Advani casts vote in Ahmedabad
2.18 pm IST10 injured in Hasanpur, Visnagar
1.36 pm ISTCongress’s Randeep Surjewala questions CEC role
1.26 pm ISTPM Modi violated model code of conduct, says Congress’ Ashok Gehlot
1.10 pm ISTEC sends observer to poll booths in Ghatlodia, Mehsana
12.58 pm ISTVoter turnout at 39% till 12pm
12.51 pm ISTCongress files complaint against PM Modi’s road show in Ranip
12.48 pm ISTVoting underway, key people cast their vote
12.23 pm ISTPM Modi casts vote at booth number 115 in Sabarmati’s Ranip locality
12.13 pm ISTPM Modi stands in queue at booth number 115 in Sabarmati’s Ranip locality to cast his vote
11.44 am ISTPM Modi to cast vote in polling booth no 115 in Ahmedabad
11.03 am ISTVoting underway in Gujarat, EVM glitch in Modasa village
10.47 am ISTGujarat deputy CM Nitin Patel, Hardik Patel cast vote
10.35 am ISTAmit Shah votes; asks people to continue development journey
10.23 am ISTCongress seeks action against Modi, Shah for violation of model
10.11 am ISTEVM glitch fixed in Sankheda’s Sodhaliya village: Polling officer
9.40 am ISTVoting percentage varies between 5-8% in all districts: report
9.16 am ISTAround 7% voting recorded till 9am, says report
9.05 am ISTAmit Shah, Hardik Patel’s parents cast vote
8.52 am ISTPM Modi’s mother Heeraben casts vote in Gandhinagar
8.46 am ISTAnandiben Patel casts vote in Ahmedabad’s Ghatlodia
8.41 am ISTThe Patidar factor, Hardik Patel pledges support to Congress
8.37 am ISTAround 2.22 crore voters to exercise their franchise
8.33 am ISTRahul Gandhi appeals to vote in large numbers
8.30 am ISTVoting begins, PM Modi urges people to vote in large numbers

An Election Commission official checks an electronic voting machine ahead of the second phase of voting for the Gujarat assembly elections in Ahmedabad. Photo: AP

Voting for the second phase of Gujarat elections for 93 assembly constituencies is underway on Thursday. The second and last phase of Gujarat elections will see polling in northern, central and tribal areas. Of the 93 constituencies going to polls on Thursday, 52 were won by the BJP and 39 by the Congress in 2012. Voting is expected to conclude at 5pm, after which attention will shift to the exit polls due to be released in the evening. The results of both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections will be declared on Monday. Here are the latest updates and developments of polling for the second phase of Gujarat elections:
4.09 pm IST Voter turnout recorded 47% till 2pmThe second phase of Gujarat elections recorded 47.40% voter turnout till 2pm, according B.B. Swain, Gujarat’s chief electoral officer. Swain also said that the EC received a EVM related complaint.“We received a complaint from a person, apparently when he switched on bluetooth on his mobile phone it connected to the machine, we are checking this at every place, senior officers and observers at the spot to check this,” ANI quoted Swain as saying in Ahmedabad.He also informed about a complaint over the violation of model code of conduct.“Have received a complaint regarding MCC violation after casting of the vote. It is a complaint which is is more anticipatory in nature which says crowd was there and this could be a roadshow. This complaint has been given to DEO Ahmedabad,” Swain said.
3.16 pm IST Rahul’s interview: EC Officials to decide if model code violatedElection officials in Gujarat are going through Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi’s television interviews to see if any legal provisions related to the country’s poll code were violated by the channels which aired them, an official said today. Gujarat chief electoral officer B. B. Swain said all the videos of Gandhi’s interviews telecast yesterday had been obtained. “The Election Commission yesterday directed us to take action after screening the videos of the interviews to decide if there was any violation of legal provisions, as prescribed under section 126(1)(b) of the Representation of People Act,” Swain told reporters in Gandhinagar. “Our officials acquired those videos today. The screening process has been initiated,” he said. (PTI)
3.01 pm IST BJP retorts back at Congress on EC remarks
Jinke liye angoor khatte hain, wo aaj Chunaav aayog par tarah tarah ke aarop laga rahe hain :Bhupendra Yadav,BJP on Congress #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/WD2K4POBLh
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017
2.44 pm IST Chidambaram raps EC for issuing Rahul show cause noticeCongress leader P. Chidambaram today asked the Election Commission why it picked on the party’s president-elect Rahul Gandhi for giving media interviews while leaving out BJP leaders who did the same thing. In a series of tweets, Chidambaram accused the poll panel of sleeping on the job and also asked people in Gujarat to exercise their franchise and “change” the BJP government in the state. “Yesterday, PM made a speech. BJP’s President gave an interview. Railway Minister gave an interview. Why have all these escaped the EC’s attention? Why pick on only Mr Rahul Gandhi’s interview?” Chidambaram said. (PTI)
2.29 pm IST EC acting like BJP’s puppet, PM’s ‘roadshow’ violation of model codeThe Congress today said the Election Commission was a BJP “puppet” for not acting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his “roadshow” in Gujarat. The prime minister had violated the model code of conduct by holding a “roadshow” after voting in the Gujarat Assembly polls, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged. Addressing a press conference, he said the poll panel was a “puppet and frontal organisation” of the ruling BJP as it took no action against Modi. “It is a sad day for the country as EC has denigrated the Constitution,” Surjewala said. (PTI)
2.01 pm IST BJP’s L K Advani casts vote in Ahmedabad
Senior BJP leader LK Advani casts his vote in Ahmedabad District's Jamalpur Khadiya #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/zwp8I5qjfB
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017
2.18 pm IST 10 injured in Hasanpur, VisnagarTwo groups clash in Hasanpur of Visnagar, 10 injured , Police reached the spot, according to Tv9 Gujarati.
1.36 pm IST Congress’s Randeep Surjewala questions CEC role
Aaj jab humne EC se subah pucha apni compliant ke baare mein toh kaha ki 5 baje ke baad jawab denge.Mukhya Chunav Aayukt jo PS to Modi ji the aaj bhi PS to Modi ji ki terah kaam kar rahe hain.Ye chunav aayog ke liye sharm ki baat hai: RS Surjewala,Congress pic.twitter.com/RpRzA9g7vV
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017
1.26 pm IST PM Modi violated model code of conduct, says Congress’ Ashok GehlotCongress leader Ashok Gehlot says Prime Minister Narendra Modi violated teh model code of conduct by holding a road show after casting his vote in Ahmedabad.“PM Modi’s road show after casting vote is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct. EC it seems is working under pressure from PM and PMO,” ANI quotes Gehlot as saying.
1.10 pm IST EC sends observer to poll booths in Ghatlodia, MehsanaBB Swain, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer: “We have received two complaints regarding presence of Bluetooth in polling booths in Ghatlodia and Mehsana.We sent observers to the spot.” (ANI)
12.58 pm IST Voter turnout at 39% till 12pm39% voting till 12pm in second phase of Gujarat Elections 2017, according to BB Swain, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer. Voter turnout till 10am was 11.71% for second phase, according to figures released by election commission. Swain also said, “Compared to phase 1, less than 50% cases of EVM replacements in phase 2. Our target remains to replace the faulty EVMs as soon as possible.”
12.51 pm IST Congress files complaint against PM Modi’s road show in Ranip
#Ahmedabad: #Congress files complaint against PM Modi's road show in #Ranip #Gujarat #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/LLVxFvuhcX
— Tv9 Gujarati (@tv9gujarati) December 14, 2017
12.48 pm IST Voting underway, key people cast their voteVoter turnout started gathering pace in early afternoon with many prominent people casting their votes. Former Cricketer Nayan Mongia cast his vote in Vadodara’s Akota where BJP’s Seemaben Akshaykumar Mohile is contesting against Congress’s Ranjit Sharadchandra Chavan.BJP’s Tejshreeben Patel cast her vote in Viramgaam, while BJP’s Narhari Amin cast his vote in Ahmedabad. Congress’ Sidhdharth Patel cast his vote in Dabhoi.
12.23 pm IST PM Modi casts vote at booth number 115 in Sabarmati’s Ranip locality
Ahmedabad: PM Modi casts his vote at booth number 115 in Sabarmati's Ranip locality. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/HJIMny2Cvi
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017
12.13 pm IST PM Modi stands in queue at booth number 115 in Sabarmati’s Ranip locality to cast his voteEarlier, PM Modi reached Sabarmati’s Ranip locality to cast his vote. BJP’s sitting MLA Arvind Patel is up against Congress’ Jitubhai Patel from Sabarmati seat
Ahmedabad: PM Modi stands in queue at booth number 115 in Sabarmati's Ranip locality to cast his vote. BJP's sitting MLA Arvind Patel is up against Congress' Jitubhai Patel from Sabarmati seat. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/XDEbQrxWP8
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017
11.44 am IST PM Modi to cast vote in polling booth no 115 in Ahmedabad
Visuals from Ahmedabad's Sabarmati, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will cast his vote at booth number 115 here. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/bjj86USiO8
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017
11.03 am IST Voting underway in Gujarat, EVM glitch in Modasa villageCongress state chief Bharatsinh Solanki casts his vote in polling booth no.201 in Anand. Gujarat chief electoral officer B.B. Swain casts his vote in Gandhinagar. (ANI) Shankar Chaudhary, minister of state for health and family welfare casts his vote in Banaskantha, reports Tv9 Gujarati.Voting has been delayed at Varthu village of Modasa due to EVM technical error, according to the channel
10.47 am IST Gujarat deputy CM Nitin Patel, Hardik Patel cast voteDeputy chief minister Nitin Patel casts his vote in Mehsana’s Kadi. He is contesting against Congress’s Jivabhai Patel. PAAS leader Hardik Patel casts his vote in Viramgam.
10.35 am IST Amit Shah votes; asks people to continue development journeyBJP president Amit Shah today cast his vote at a polling booth in the Naranpura area here, and appealed to the public to come out to vote in large numbers to carry forward the “journey of development.” He came to the polling booth at the Naranpura sub-zonal office to cast vote along with his wife Sonal Shah and son Jay Shah. “I would like to appeal to the voters to come out in large numbers to cast their vote to take ahead the journey of development,” Amit Shah told reporters after coming out of the polling booth. He said the development model of Gujarat is “praised across the country”. “I believe this tempo should be maintained, and the people should vote in large numbers to give a befitting reply to those opposing the Gujarat model,” he said. (PTI)
10.23 am IST Congress seeks action against Modi, Shah for violation of modelCongress seeks action against Modi, Shah for violation of model code The Congress has petitioned the Election Commission for action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing an event organised by an industry body on the eve of the final phase of the Gujarat polls where he attacked the main opposition party. The Congress’s complaint came soon after the EC yesterday issued a show cause notice to Rahul Gandhi for prima facie violating the model code by giving interviews to Gujarati TV channels, and asked him to reply by 18 December, failing which it will decide the matter without any reference to him. (PTI)
10.11 am IST EVM glitch fixed in Sankheda’s Sodhaliya village: Polling officer
The EVM in Sankheda's Sodhaliya village in Chhota Udaipur was dysfunctional for 50 minutes, so voting was halted for that duration. We fixed the machine and now the voting is underway: Gaurang Rana, Polling Officer #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/0CDLpztp5x
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017
9.40 am IST Voting percentage varies between 5-8% in all districts: reportAround 7% voting has been recorded till 9am, while the districtwise polling percentage varies between 5-8%. The Sabarkantha district reported around 5% voting till 9am, while Gandhinagar around 8%, Aravalli around 7%, Anand around 7%, according to Tv9 Gujarati. Kheda reported around 8%, Mahisagar around 6%, Panchmahal around 8%, Dahod around 6%, Vadodara around 8%, ChhotaUdaipur around 5%, according to the channel.
9.16 am IST Around 7% voting recorded till 9am, says report
#Gujarat : Around 7% voting recorded till 9 AM#GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/MXdJIBruNO
— Tv9 Gujarati (@tv9gujarati) December 14, 2017
9.05 am IST Amit Shah, Hardik Patel’s parents cast voteBJP President Amit Shah casts his vote in Naranpura, while the parents of Hardik Patel, Bharat Patel and Usha Patel, cast their votes in Viramgam. Shankersinh Vaghela casts his vote in Gandhinagar’s Vasan village. Alpesh Thakor casts his vote in Viramgam.
8.52 am IST PM Modi’s mother Heeraben casts vote in Gandhinagar
PM Modi's mother Heeraben cast her vote in a polling booth in Gandhinagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/5PJxvGbf91
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017
8.46 am IST Anandiben Patel casts vote in Ahmedabad’s GhatlodiaFormer Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel casts her vote in Ahmedabad’s Ghatlodia. BJP’s Bhupendra Patel is up against Congress’s Shashikant Patel on this seat. Meanwhile, voting is underway in Viramgam’s polling booth number 252, which is PAAS leader Hardik Patel ‘s home town. Patel-led PAAS has pledged support to the Congress and at least two of its leaders are contesting on the party’s ticket.
Former Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel casts her vote in Ahmedabad's Ghatlodia. BJP's Bhupendra Patel is up against Congress's Shashikant Patel on this seat #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/4uVYtOf2bg
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017
8.41 am IST The Patidar factor, Hardik Patel pledges support to CongressThe influential Patidar community, which accounts for around 12% of the Gujarat’s population, could prove to be the ‘X factor’ in the polls. Patidar quota agitation leader Hardik Patel has pledged support to the Congress and appealed to the people to “uproot the BJP” this time. (PTI)
8.37 am IST Around 2.22 crore voters to exercise their franchiseAround 2.22 crore voters would be exercising their franchise to choose between the two main contenders, the BJP and the Congress. A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for the second phase. Prominent candidates in the fray for today’s battle include state deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, who is contesting from Mehsana, Alpesh Thakor (Radhanpur), and Jignesh Mevani (Vadgam). In Maninagar, the constituency once represented by Prime Minister Naredra Modi, Congress has given ticket to foreign- educated young face Sweta Bhrambhatt against BJP’s sitting MLA Suresh Patel. Modi had vacated the constituency after becoming the PM in 2014. The first phase of voting for the 182-member house, held on 9 December covered 89 seats. (PTI)
8.33 am IST Rahul Gandhi appeals to vote in large numbers
गुजरात में नवसर्जन की शुरुआत हो चुकी है। आपका एक एक वोट लोकतंत्र की नींव को सुदृढ़ और सशक्त बनाएगा। गुजरात की जनता से अपील है कि गुजरात के उज्जवल भविष्य के लिए अधिक से अधिक वोट करें। #NavsarjanGujarat
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 14, 2017
8.30 am IST Voting begins, PM Modi urges people to vote in large numbers
Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2017