66% turnout for civic polls as people brave heat to vote in Gujarat

Voter turnout in the Gujarat local body elections ranged between 45% and 66% till 5 p.m., with people braving intense summer heat to exercise their franchise. Polling began at 7 a.m. on Sunday and continued till 6 p.m., with officials noting that the final turnout figures would be available later in the evening after data compilation. However, polling in municipal corporations, including Ahmedabad, remained comparatively lower than in other local bodies.

According to the State Election Commission, municipalities recorded a turnout of 59.85%, while Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation saw 45.35% voting. Taluka panchayats registered 65.91% turnout and district panchayats 65.40%. The elections are being held under revised norms for Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservations following delimitation and restructuring of wards in several districts.