Braving chilly winter winds, an estimated 74% voters turned out to exercise their franchise for 8,686 gram panchayats in Gujarat on Sunday.
The State Election Commission informed that as many as 1,165 village panchayats and 9,613 wards were declared “totally uncontested” and representatives there were elected unopposed.
The polling was conducted with strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols. Barring allegations of rigging at a polling booth in Gandhinagar and a clash between candidates at a booth in Surendranagar that led to suspension of voting, polling was held peacefully.
In a freak incident, a constable thrashed a voter after he insisted on taking his mobile phone inside the polling booth. The police detained both of them.
As many as 27,200 candidates are trying their luck for the post of sarpanch and there are a whopping 1,19,998 aspirants to become members.
As usual, the elections were not contested on party symbols but all candidates enjoyed backing of various political parties. The results will be declared on December 21.
