Polling for the Umreth Assembly by-election in Gujarat’s Anand district ended with a 59.04% voter turnout by 8 p.m., as reported by the Election Commission of India. The voting, held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., encompassed 306 polling stations across the constituency, covering 46 villages in Umreth taluka and parts of Anand rural area, Ode, Umreth, and Boriavi municipalities.
A total of 2,45,623 voters were eligible to cast their ballots, with the recorded turnout figure in the evening considered as the approximate final count, pending official confirmation. The by-election was triggered by the passing of sitting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Govind Parmar last month.
Six candidates vied for the seat, with the primary contest between BJP nominee Harshad Parmar, son of the late MLA, and Congress candidate Bhrugurajsinh Chauhan. Other contenders included Maulik Shah of the Bharatiya National Lok Dal and independents Jitesh Sevak, Nirupa Madhu, and Mahendra Parmar.
Despite the soaring temperatures, voters turned out in significant numbers, particularly during the morning and afternoon. Election authorities ensured provisions like drinking water, ORS packets, and shaded waiting areas at polling stations to alleviate the heat’s impact.
Security was tight with 1,348 polling personnel, 22 micro observers, and 19 district-level nodal officers overseeing the process. Senior police officers, around 500 police and home guard personnel, and three companies of the Central Reserve Police Force were deployed to maintain a peaceful voting environment.
The electorate included 4,174 first-time voters aged 18-19, 1,556 voters above 85 years, and 1,546 persons with disabilities. Special arrangements such as wheelchairs, volunteers, and dedicated transport were provided, with some voters from these categories opting for home voting before polling day.
BJP candidate Harshad Parmar expressed confidence in winning, stating, “This is a festival of democracy. I visited every village, town, and city to spread the message and received immense support from the people. It is because of everyone’s blessings and collective efforts during the campaign.” The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
