Over 63.67 per cent of Gujarat's voters exercised their franchise in the Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday. According to latest figures available while going to print, the voter turnout of 63.67 per cent is only marginally lower than the state's all-time high of 63.77 per cent, recorded in the 1967 Lok Sabha elections. Five years ago, the corresponding figure was 63.66 per cent.

"There is a strong possibility that we will create a new record in terms of voting in a Lok Sabha election in Gujarat, when postal ballots are taken into consideration," said additional chief electoral officer Ashok Manek.

Voting began at a brisk pace at 7 am, with long queues seen outside many polling booths right from the beginning at many places. Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his day by meeting his mother Hiraba at his brother Pankaj Modi's residence in Gandhinagar, and appealed citizens to vote in large numbers.

Voting was peaceful, and there were also fewer complaints of technical glitches, said officials. "Polling was completed peacefully barring minor stray incidents of violence," chief electoral officer S Murali Krishna said.

He said that EVMs malfunctioned in some places, but they were quickly replaced, and voting was not affected. He said that 45 complaints were received during the day, most of which were disposed of.

Figures provided by the CEO's office showed that the average turnout was 10 per cent in the first two hours, and touched 24.87 per cent by 11:00 am. By 1:00 pm, 39.27 per cent voters had exercised their right to vote, while the tally rose to 50.36 per cent by 3:00 pm.

The turnout was slower in the afternoon hours because of the heat, as the temperature touched 42 degrees in many places, but picked up in the final hour. By 5 pm, the turnout was 58.95 per cent, and by the time it closed at 6 pm, Gujarat was at 63.67 per cent.

Besides PM Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, who is contesting from Gandhinagar, also cast his vote, as also did senior leader LK Advani, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and MP governor Anandiben Patel. CM Vijay Rupani cast his vote in Rajkot, and deputy CM Nitin Patel from Mehsana. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel voted in Bharuch, and state party president Amit Chavda in Anand.

Gujarat

• 63.67% polling  
• 26/26 seats