Gujarat Elections 2022: Phase 2 voting concludes, over 60% voter turnout recorded | Highlights

Election Commission tweeted pictures of to-be-married women and men with caption- "Only after the first vote, the bride and groom performed their duties."

Phase 2 voting concludes on Monday. According to the Election Commission, over 60% voter turnout was recorded.

50.51% voter turnout was recorded till 3pm in the second and the last phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections, said Election Commission of India.

A scuffle between BJP and Congress workers reportedly in Keshavpura. The situation under control at Keshavpura polling station under Anklav assembly constituency in Anand said police

According to Election Commission, nearly 55 per cent turnout was reported till 3 pm.

Former Indian cricketers Yusuf Pathan and Irfan Pathan along with their family members cast their votes at a polling booth in Vadodara for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly Polls.

"I appeal to people to come out and vote," said former Indian Cricketer Yusuf Pathan.

"It's our right & responsibility to vote. I came to know that till now only 60% polling has been done, so I appeal to people to come and increase it. I am hopeful that in the coming time our country can become a superpower as we have youth and potential," Irfan Pathan said. 

Till 1 pm, Sabarkantha district recorded the highest turnout ay 39.73 per cent, followed by Chhota Udepur 38.18 per cent.

In Ahmedabad district, the voter turnout till 1 pm stood at 30.82 per cent. In Vadodara, it was 34.07 per cent, as per an update shared by the Election Commission.

The poll body said in the first three hours, 41 ballot units, 40 control units and 109 voter verifiable paper audit trails (VVPATs) were replaced due to malfunctioning.

During the polling day, PM Modi did a roadshow of two & half hours while he went to cast his vote. Will appeal to EC against it, seems like Election Commission is willingly under pressure, said Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera.

Yesterday, our tribal leader & MLA from Danta (Kanti Kharadi) wrote to EC seeking protection, but EC didn't respond & later he was attacked by 24 BJP goons, BJP also distributed liquor in Gujarat even though liquor is banned there, EC took no action on that either, he further said.

A differently-abled voter casts his vote for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly Polls in Nadiad, Kheda. "I lost both my hands 20 years ago in an accident but that did never stop me from casting my vote. I use my feet to vote now," said Ankit Soni.

Police bring the situation under control at Keshavpura polling station under Anklav assembly constituency in Anand where a scuffle between BJP and Congress workers reportedly took place during polling.

In the second phase so far, Gujarat has recorded 34.74 per cent voter turnout recorded till 1 pm. Polling will take place till 5 pm and results are set to be declared on December 8.

AAP's CM candidate Isudan Gadhvi casts his vote at a polling station in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

"I appeal to people to step go to polling stations and vote. Choose whoever you want but you will be able to demand answers from political leaders only if you vote. I expect AAP to win 51 plus out of 89 seats in the first phase and 52 plus seats in the second phase," says Isudan Gadhvi.

PM Modi's mother Heeraben Modi casts her vote for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly Polls in Raysan Primary School, Gandhinagar.

Ahmedabad | Prime Minister Narendra Modi's brother Somabhai Modi casts his vote for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly elections at Nishan Public school, Ranip where PM Modi had also voted earlier in the day.

Erstwhile royal Rajmata Shubhanginiraje Gaekwad, cast her vote at a polling booth in Vadodara.

She says, "Voting is our right. I appeal to everyone to exercise their franchise. There is no right without responsibility."

PM Modi's brother Somabhai Modi gets emotional as he talks about PM who visited him.

"People cannot ignore the kind of work Centre has done after 2014. I asked him (PM Modi) that he works a lot for the country, he should take some rest as well," says Somabhai Modi.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Bhai Patel casts vote in the Gujarat Election second phase and says BJP will break all its old records in these elections.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his family offer prayers at a temple in Ahmedabad after casting their votes for the second phase of Gujarat Elections 2022. His son and BCCI secretary Jay Shah also accompany him.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, after casting his vote, says, "I appeal to everyone to vote, especially the first-time voters - the young girls and boys should vote." Earlier, PM Modi cast his vote in Ahmedabad.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with members of his family including his son and BCCI secretary Jay Shah, casts his votes at AMC Sub-Zonal Office in Naranpura of Ahmedabad in the second phase of Gujarat Elections 2022.

Ahmedabad | Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel cast her vote for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly Polls at Polling Booth 95, Shilaj Anupam School.

In 2nd phase, OBC-majority assembly segments are going to poll. Congress played its cards of CM candidate likely being an OBC, so I think central Gujarat, north Gujarat & this entire area will vote for Congress. I see a change in the 27-year-long BJP rule, said Ex-Guj CM Shankersinh Vaghela.

BJP candidate from Viramgam, Hardik Patel cast his vote for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly Polls at Polling Booth 264 in Chandranagar Primary School.

Delhi Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and his wife cast their votes for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly Polls in Ahmedabad.

"It's a festival of democracy. Everyone should exercise their franchise. I too voted today. I appeal to everyone to step out in large numbers, vote & strengthen democracy. People of Gujarat are smart & they have always voted thoughtfully. They'll do the same this time too," said Delhi LG.

PM Narendra Modi after casting vote | The festival of democracy has been celebrated with great pomp by the people of Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi. I want to thank the people of the country. I also want to congratulate Election Commission for conducting elections peacefully.

Soon after casting vote in Ahmedabad, PM Modi walked to his brother's house. On Sunday, the Prime Minister had visited his mother Heeraben Modi at her residence. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi casts his vote for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly elections at Nishan Public school, Ranip, Ahmedabad.

Ahmedabad, Gujarat | Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets people on his way to Nishan Public school, Ranip to cast his vote for Gujarat Assembly elections.

Arvind Kejriwal on Gujarat election second phase voting | In the second phase, polling is being held on 93 seats in Gujarat today. My appeal to all the voters – this election is the election of new hopes and aspirations of Gujarat. It is a great opportunity that has come after decades. Looking towards the future, do come by voting for the progress of Gujarat, this time come by doing something different and amazing.

Congress leader Bharat Solanki votes in Botad | Congress received massive support in Saurashtra and south Gujarat in phase 1. Today, north Gujarat and central Gujarat are going to polls & you can see long queues. Come December 8, Congress will come to power with a majority, he said.

Ahmedabad, Gujarat | Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves from Gandhinagar Raj Bhawan to cast his vote for the Gujarat Assembly elections at Nishan Public School, Ranip.

Voting underway for Gujarat Elections 2022; visuals from polling booth 95, Shilaj Anupam School in Ahemdabad where Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel will cast his vote.

I appeal to everyone to vote. BJP has maintained law and order & has worked for the development of Gujarat. I want all Gujaratis to vote for BJP. We should exercise our power to vote as election is the beauty of democracy, says BJP candidate from Viramgam, Hardik Patel.

Fate of the political parties will be decided by over 2.5 crore voters today, with 93 constituencies spread across 14 districts of central and north Gujarat going up for polling.

BJP candidate Hardik Patel's wife: This isn't a neck-to-neck fight, everyone is with Hardik. We're awaiting the results. Hardik likes challenges, & he'll overcome this challenge too. He'll definitely win, said Kinjalben Patel.

Urging all those who are voting in Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections, particularly the young voters and women voters to vote in large numbers. I will be casting my vote in Ahmedabad at around 9 AM.

The BJP and the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP are contesting in all the 93 seats. The Congress is contesting in 90 seats and its alliance partner Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has fielded candidates in two seats.

In the 2017 Assembly polls, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 51 of these seats, Congress 39, while three seats went to independent candidates. In central Gujarat, the BJP had bagged 37 seats, outnumbering the Congress which got 22. But in north Gujarat, the Congress had won 17 seats while the saffron party got 14.

The 93 Assembly segments which are going to polls today are spread across Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Gandhinagar and other districts. Some of the important constituencies in the second phase include Ghatlodia (in Ahmedabad district) of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Viramgam seat (also in Ahmedabad) from where Patidar leader Hardik Patel is fighting on the BJP's ticket and Gandhinagar South from where Alpesh Thakor is fighting as the saffron party candidate.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a whirlwind campaign for the BJP candidates on December 1 and 2, including two back-to-back road shows in Ahmedabad. During the last leg of the campaign, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held rallies in Dholka, Mahudha and Khambhat towns, while Union minister Smriti Irani held roadshows in Modasa and Siddhpur towns of north Gujarat. AAP leader and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also held road shows for the second phase of elections.

Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani is contesting as the Congress candidate from Vadgam seat in Banaskantha district, and Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly Sukhram Rathva is the nominee from Jetpur in Chhota Udepur district. BJP rebel Madhu Shrivastav is contesting as an independent candidate from Vaghodia seat in Vadodara district.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may win a comfortable majority in the Gujarat Assembly elections, with Congress coming second, said India TV-Matrize final opinion poll. According to the opinion poll, BJP may win a comfortable majority with 109-124 seats in the 182-member Gujarat assembly, while Congress may win 51-66 seats, AAP may win 0-7 seats. READ MORE

Among notable candidates in the first phase were Aam Aadmi Party's chief ministerial face Isudan Gadhvi, who contested from Khambhalia in Devbhumi Dwarka district. Former Gujarat minister Parshottam Solanki, six-time MLA Kunwarji Bavaliya, Morbi 'hero' Kantilal Amrutiya, cricketer Ravindra Jadeja's wife Rivaba and Gujarat AAP president Gopal Italia are also in the fray.

Gujarat has traditionally witnessed bipolar contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress. However, this time the contest has become triangular with the entry of Aam Aadmi Party. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party is contesting on total 181 seats out of 182 seats of Gujarat Assembly. 

Voting in first phase of Gujarat Assembly elections 2022 will be held on 89 seats across 19 districts. As many as 788 candidates are in the fray in the first phase of the election.