64 pc polling in second phase of Gujarat Assembly polls

Ahmedabad, Dec 16: Around 64 per cent of the Gujarat electorate today voted in the second and final phase of State Assembly elections.

Out of the total 18.7 million electorate, 63 to 65 percent exercised their franchise in the remaining 95 constituencies of the total 182 seats spread over eleven districts in the Central and Northern parts of the state, the Election Commission said. Barring a few incidents of violence and bogus voting, the polling went off peacefully. "The polling was by and large peaceful," said Deputy Election Commissioner Jaiprakash.

Elaborate arrangements were made to ensure that the voting is held in a free and fair manner. Over 50,000 security personnel were deployed to maintain law and order in the state. Besides the state police, around 574 central paramilitary companies were pressed into service to instil a sense of security among the voters.

While the fight is mainly between the BJP and the Congress, the Bahujan Samaj Party is also contesting independently. Around 60 percent of the Gujarat electorate voted during the first phase of Assembly elections on December 11.

Voting was held in 87 constituencies during its first phase. Of these, 58 constituencies were located in Saurashtra and Kutch regions, and 29 in South Gujarat. The counting of votes will take place on December 23. The term of the State's Legislative Assembly expires on December 26.

In the last Assembly elections, the BJP managed to win 127 seats, while the Congress party was able to win only 51 seats. The Janata Dal (United) and independents had won two seats each.

ANI>