Voting for the elections of local self-governing bodies in Gujarat concluded peacefully on Sunday. According to data from the State Election Commission, an average voter turnout of 56.60% (provisional) was recorded across the state until 6 PM. The fate of all candidates in the fray has been sealed, with the counting of votes set to take place on Tuesday, February 18.
The State Election Commission had announced elections for Junagadh Municipal Corporation, 68 municipalities, and three taluka panchayats, along with by-elections for several vacant local self-government seats.
According to the State Election Commission, between January 27 and February 1, 2025, a total of 7,036 nomination papers were submitted for these elections. Of these, 1,261 were declared invalid, while 5,775 were deemed valid. A total of 478 candidates withdrew their nominations, and 13 seats were declared uncontested. As a result, 5,084 candidates contested the remaining seats.
It is also noteworthy, that this is the first local body election held after the Gujarat government introduced a 27% reservation for OBCs in municipalities and panchayats in 2023.