Gandhinagar: Voter enthusiasm remained subdued in the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation election, held for 44 seats across 11 wards as part of the local self-government polls. By the end of the day, the average turnout stood at just 59.25 per cent.
Minor incidents reported, four EVMs replaced
The low turnout in such an important local body election has raised the possibility of a major shake-up in the equations of political parties. Voting began early in the morning at a total of 269 polling stations across all 11 wards of the corporation. However, there was little sign of enthusiasm among voters from the very first hours. In the first two hours, between 7 am and 9 am, a sluggish 5.80 per cent turnout was recorded.
As the day progressed, the expectations of political parties and the election machinery that polling would pick up proved wrong. By 11 am, the average turnout had reached only 18.24 per cent. The afternoon heat and the start of the Navratri festival also appeared to have an impact. With people busy with festival preparations, many are believed to have avoided going to polling stations.
Minor incidents were seen and heard of in almost all wards during the voting process. Technical glitches also forced the replacement of EVMs in Ward Nos. 1, 2, 6 and 10.