Gandhi Nagar: Riding on the Modi factor, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is confident of retaining power in Gujarat, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) looks to make a strong start and the Congress, which was absent from the hectic campaigning, hopes for a favorable verdict. is looking for The counting of votes in the assembly elections is about to begin. Assembly elections in Gujarat were held in two phases on 1 and 5 December. By the end of the second phase of the Gujarat elections, an estimated voting percentage of 59.11 per cent was recorded. Whereas in the first phase of polling, the total voter turnout in Gujarat was 63.14 per cent. Days after the election results, exit polls have indicated a clear victory for the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat. The BJP has been in power in Gujarat for 27 years and Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to hold the post of Chief Minister. He held the post for the longest time before becoming the Prime Minister. In the last assembly elections in 2017, the Congress had given a tough fight to the ruling BJP.
However, AAP could spoil the game for Congress by snatching a significant vote share in its favour. The counting of votes for the Gujarat Assembly elections will begin at 8 am. Elaborate arrangements have been made at all the 37 counting centres. Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer P Bharti said that 182 counting observers, 182 returning officers and 494 assistant returning officers would be on duty for the counting process. There will be additional 78 assistant election officers for counting of votes. Apart from this, 71 Additional Assistant Returning Officers have been entrusted with the responsibility of Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System.
The first counting of postal ballots will take place at 8:00 am and counting of postal ballots as well as Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) votes will begin at 8:30 am. CEO P Bharti said that all the counting staff have been appointed. The second randomization will also be completed on Wednesday and the third randomization process will be done on Thursday at 5 am before the counting of votes. The duty of a micro observer, counting observer and counting assistant has been assigned at each polling station table. Videography of the entire counting process will be done. The EVMs will be taken out of the strong room and set up in the counting hall in the presence of the Returning Officer/Assistant Returning Officer, candidate counting agents and observers appointed by the Election Commission of India. After reviewing the preparations for the counting of votes, CEO P Bharti said that all necessary preparations have been completed at 37 counting centers in 33 districts of the state.
Local police will be stationed outside the counting center premises. There will be a tight presence of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) at the counting venue and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) outside the counting center gate. No person or vehicle will be allowed to enter the premises except for the officers on duty and specially authorized political representatives. Notably, in 2017 the BJP was also under pressure from the ongoing protests by the Patidars, but this time the situation is in favor of the BJP and the party may gain more seats than in the previous elections. (ANI)