With Gujarat’s local self-government elections set for Sunday, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has called on citizens to ensure 100% voting, highlighting it as a democratic right and civic duty. Patel emphasized the importance of enthusiastic participation in what he termed the “sacred festival of democracy.” He stressed that voting is not just a right but also a sacred duty as a citizen, noting that each vote contributes to the development of villages, talukas, districts, and cities.
The Chief Minister urged voters to visit polling stations on April 26 and encourage family members, friends, and neighbors to do the same. He emphasized the role of every vote in accelerating the overall development of Gujarat, linking voting to broader development goals. Patel appealed for full participation, urging citizens to pledge for “100% voting” to ensure the success of the democratic process.
As campaigning concluded, major political parties in Gujarat held roadshows and rallies to mobilize voters ahead of polling day. The elections will cover various local bodies, including municipal corporations, municipalities, district panchayats, and taluka panchayats. Over 4.19 crore eligible voters are expected to participate in the polls, which will be conducted at numerous polling stations using electronic voting machines.
Voting is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with vote counting set for April 28. This election cycle includes over 10,000 contested seats, with the first polls held under the revised 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes in local bodies. Extensive security measures have been put in place, with more than one lakh personnel deployed across the state to ensure a peaceful voting process and additional security in sensitive areas.
The election outcome is anticipated to influence governance at the grassroots level and impact the administrative direction of urban and rural bodies in Gujarat for the upcoming term.
