Election briefs from across Gujarat

Gandhinagar: Polling is underway across 25 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat for the General Elections of 2024. As the voting proceeds, here are some developments taking place across the state:

– A 45-year-old female polling officer Kaushika Babariya,stationed at a polling booth in Gujarat’s Amreli district passed away after experiencing discomfort while on duty on Tuesday.

– A BJP worker named Hardik Jhala was caught making a video of the ballot unit and VVPAT unit, which went viral from Booth No. 77 of Ghiwala School in Veraval. While the presiding officer lodged a police complaint, Veraval police registered a case against Hardik Jhala and apprehended him. Action has been taken under Section 188 and Section 128 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, for violation of notification.

– State president of Gujarat Congress, Shaktisinh Gohil, after casting his vote, alleged that the BJP agent in the booth had a pen with the election symbol after voting. Shaktisinh Gohil stated that in all the polling booths, BJP agents are sitting with pens marked with a lotus. He urged the Election Commissioner to take action to stop this.

– In Una assembly constituency of Gir Somnath, a remarkable event unfolded at Banej Booth No.3, which underscores the significance of each vote. With only one registered voter, Mahant Haridasbapu of Banej temple, Banej Booth No. 3 witnessed 100% voting as Mahant exercised his franchise.

– The control unit of the Chhatravilas polling booth in Rajpipla malfunctioned, causing a temporary halt in polling for an hour. After the local officers noticed the issue, the technical staff promptly responded and mobilized to address it.

– The Siddi community in Madhupur Jambur, located in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, is performing the Dhamal dance as they head towards the polling booths to cast their votes.