Lok Sabha Elections Countdown

The countdown for ‘D-Day’ in Gujarat continues, as political parties, leaders, party workers, and electoral officials are on their toes to yield outcomes most favourable to them from the polling scheduled to take place in four days on May 7.

On the campaigning front, BJP president JP Nadda was present in Gujarat’s Dahod today, where he hailed praises for prime minister Narendra Modi, and targeted the opposition alliance.

Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public rally in Ahmedabad today.

Incarcerated Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, also addressed and held a road show in Botad and Dediapada on her first visit to Gujarat today. She was part of a public rally under the I.N.D.I.A. bloc alliance banner, campaigning for their two candidates, Chaitar Vasava and Umesh Makwana.

Electoral officials take charge

Today, Gujarat chief electoral officer unveiled a Virtual Reality-based Election Metaverse aimed at educating and engaging first-time voters in the state. This initiative targets over 13 m first-time voters set to participate in the forthcoming elections.

The ECI has also taken steps to ease the condition of the voters, who will be dispatching a medical team for every 15 polling booths, which will have members of the government medical staff. Moreover, there will be ORS packets available at every polling booth, besides drinking water facilities and chairs for elderly and persons with disabilities (PwDs). Booths where there will be  direct sunlight, tents will be put up.

For polling in 25 Lok Sabha constituencies and 5 assembly constituencies, 50,782 polling booths have been set up. Each polling booth will have 5 officials. A total of 3.15 lakh polling staff will be engaged across the state on election day.  Moreover, a total of 1.5 lakh officials, including booth level officers, zonal officers and nodal officers will be engaged in poll duties.

Who’s up in the fray?

Congress chief Kharge’s campaign will extend in Gujarat on May 4, where he will address a public meeting in Rajkot. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi is also scheduled to follow suit in North Gujarat’s Banaskantha.

What’s new this time?

Previous results showed a clean sweep for the BJP in the state in the 2019 general elections. However, the upcoming polls seem to be a tight race for the ruling party. Uncontested victories, coalitions of parties, and the bye-poll schedule coinciding are the latest additions to this year’s elections.

Also read:

Gujarat electoral officials launch ‘virtual simulator’ for first time voters

Heavy campaigning in state as Gujarat is set to vote in five days

LS polls 2024: Countdown for showdown begins in Gujarat