Voting was held today for panchayat elections in Gujarat. Votes were cast till 6 pm. Counting will be held on 25 June. There are 8,326 gram panchayats in the state. Of these, 751 gram panchayats have been held unopposed. A total of 3656 sarpanches, 16224, used 81 lakh voter franchise in the election.
24% polling in Jamnagar till 11 am
The election of 187 gram panchayats in Jamnagar district was 64% polling till an average till evening. A large number of voters, including elderly, youth and women, were seen standing in long queues to cast their votes. The police helped some elderly voters reach the polling station so that they too could exercise their franchise. The youth were also appealed to vote.
27 percent reservation applicable
27 per cent reservation is applicable for the backward classes in the election. Gram Panchayat elections are being held after a delay of almost two years due to OBC (Other Backward Class) reservation issue in Gujarat. Gram Panchayat elections are usually fought here on non-party basis. That is, candidates contest the election privately. However, they get support from political parties.
The panchayats of Kara, Jethanu, Sainal, Visnagar, Junathl Gram Panchayat and Baksara taluka are included in the Kara and Visnagar assembly constituencies. Assembly elections were held here two days ago. Therefore, there will be no election here. After this, out of a total of 4564 gram panchayats, 3775 gram panchayats have been uncontested. Voting for elections will be held in the remaining gram panchayats.
Election was announced on May 28
Based on the report of the Zaveri Commission in the year 2023, after the announcement of the Gujarat government to give 27 percent reservation to OBCs in local bodies like panchayats, municipalities and municipal corporations, the state is being held on such a large scale for the first time in the state.
The election was announced by the State Election Commission on 28 May. The last date for filing nominations for the candidates was 9 June and the last date for withdrawal of the name was 11 June. According to the Election Commission, out of 8,326 gram panchayats, 4,688 will have common or mid -term elections, while 3,638 Gram councils will have by -elections.
