Gujarat Local Body Polls Disrupted by Low Turnout and Technical Issues

Gandhinagar: Gujarat's mini-assembly local body polls have been washed out and the colours of democracy are visible in the first two hours of the morning. Reports from every nook and corner of the state show a moderate voter turnout of around 5% till 9 am. Municipalities lead with 6.5%, while municipal corporations are yet to see a voter turnout of around 4%. With temperatures predicted to be as high as 44 ° C, political parties are scrambling to get as many votes in as possible before noon, as the elections to all the bodies are held together this time, posing a major logistical challenge. The electoral process in cities like Bharuch and Jamnagar was marred by unexpected disasters and technical glitches. Polling stations were darkened by a sudden power outage, but workers with unwavering faith in democracy continued the process under a candlelight vigil.