Gujarat Assembly Election 2022: The dates for the high-intensity Gujarat poll have been announced. The state will go to polls in two phases on December 1 and 5 and the results will be announced on December 8, announced the Election Commission of India (ECI). In the first phase, the state would poll for 89 seats and in the second phase, it would conduct the election on 93 seats. The term Gujarat Assembly ends on February 18 next year. Gujarat has a 182-member assembly and the BJP had pulled off its sixth consecutive victory winning 99 seats in the last polls, while the Congress put up a spirited fight by bagging 77 seats.
The election commission said that for enhanced voting experience, 1274 polling stations will be completely managed by women and security staff. There will be 182 polling stations, where one will be welcomed by PWD. For the 1st time, 33 polling stations will be set up and managed by the youngest available polling staff.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, Delhi said that 3,24,422 new voters will vote for the first time this time in the Gujarat Assembly elections. "I am happy to inform you that 3,24,422 new voters will vote for the first time this time in the Gujarat Assembly elections. The total number of polling stations is 51,782. At least 50% of the polling stations set up in the state will have webcasting arrangements," Kumar said.
Special emphasis on third-gender voters
The Election Commission says it will focus on the participation of third-gender voters in Gujarat Assembly election 2022. Special camps will be organised in every district to help in the enrolment of such voters. The number of third-gender voters has doubled in 2022 in comparison to 2017.
On being impartial
Responding to Congress' allegation of being partial, EC chief said, "Actions speak louder than words."
Vote percentage from 2017: How parties fared
In percentage terms, the BJP polled 49.05 per cent of the valid votes, while Congress polled 42.97 per cent. The Congress witnessed a series of defections after the assembly elections and the BJP increased its tally in the House to 111. The Congress numbers were reduced to 62.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has trained its sights on Gujarat and has already entered the election mode. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has made several trips to Gujarat in his bid to make inroads for the AAP in the state after a successful foray in Punjab.
Gujarat Assembly Election 2022: Full Schedule
- Date of issue of Gazette notifications: Nov 5 (first phase for 89 seats), Nov 10 (second phase for 93 seats)
- Last date of making nominations: Nov 14 (first phase), Nov 17 (second phase)
- Date of scrutiny of nominations: Nov 15 (first phase), Nov 18 (second phase)
- Last date for withdrawala of candidates: Nov 17 (first phase), Nov 21 (second phase)
- Date of poll: Dec 1 (first phase), Dec 5 (second phase)
- Date of counting/results: Dec 8
- Date before which election process shall be completed: Dec 10
Also Read: Gujarat election: 'Action speaks louder than words', EC responds to Congress' 'fair polls' jibe
