With the deadline for the withdrawal of nominations running out on Apr 23, Gujarat will see 266 candidates battle for 25 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the state’s chief electoral officer P Bharathi said today. There are also 24 candidates aspiring to 5 seats up for bye-election.

With 12 lakh voters gearing up to exercise their franchise for the first time this year, Bharathi said the EC is permitting a print-out of the EPIC card as a valid document allowing one to vote. Meanwhile, 22,700 voters have signed up for the government’s ‘vote-from-home’ option, available to senior citizens ages 85+, and persons with disabilities.

Bharathi was addressing the press as part of the Election Commission’s bid to raise voter awareness given the low turnout in the early phases of the election completed so far. Gujarat will go to the polls in Phase 3 on May 7. Gujarat has a total of 26 parliamentary seats to be filled, but BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal for Surat is running unopposed after all other contenders withdrew their candidacy.

In all, there are 4,97,68,677 voters in Gujarat, with Gandhinagar accounting for the highest number of women voters, Bharati said, adding that Surat has the lowest number of women voters. Navsari has the highest numbers of men voters and Bharuch has the lowest number of men voters, and Dahod has the highest number of youth voters between the ages of 18 to 29 years, she also said.

Block development offices have started to distribute voter information slips to every household, to further encourage voting, Bharathi further stated.

To maintain fairness and transparency in the upcoming elections, the state’s chief electoral officer has initiated suo motu action in 19 instances. The Election Commission has also sought a report from the returning officer for Surat on the withdrawal of candidates.

‘Action against 42k bootleggers’

Shamsher Singh, the Additional Director-General in charge of law and order in the Gujarat police, was also present at the briefing. He said that, in the recent past, the cops have taken action against 42,000 bootleggers and arrested 30 smugglers. He added that 1,400 cases have been registered under the Gujarat Prevention of Anti-Social Activities (PASA) Act, with 97% bailable warrants being issued in this process. Gujarat police have tied up with neighbouring states and have seized ₹42 crore in cash and valuables at 133 checkposts along the state border ahead of the elections, Singh added.

Also read:

Age breakdown for Gujarat’s voters in Lok Sabha elections 2024

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Things you need to know as a first-time voter