Voting for the first phase of Assembly elections has begun in Gujarat. The polling, which began at 8 AM, will continue till 5 PM. Voting is taking place in 87 constituencies in this phase. 1.81 crore voters will decide the fate of 846 candidates in this phase. Out of 846, 46 female candidates are in the fray. While BJP has fielded its candidates in all 87 constituencies, Congress is contesting 84 seats and Keshubhai Patel-led Gujarat Parivartan Party 83. Prominent candidates in this phase include Keshubhai Patel, Assembly Speaker Ganpat Vasava, Gujarat BJP President RC Faldu, State Congress President Arjun Modhwadia and Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure free and fair polling. A total of 44 thousand 579 polling stations have been set up. Out of which, 17 thousand booths have been identified as critical and extra precautions have been taken. For the first time, senior police officers from other states have been deployed by the Election Commission as police observers in all sensitive districts.