Ahmedabad: Preparations for the upcoming local body elections have begun in Gujarat. The Election Commission has started making arrangements with the expectation of holding the elections on time.

According to sources, the State Election Commission has sought information from each district collector regarding polling stations, the requirement for EVMs, and related logistics. More EVMs are being kept ready than the estimated need. An order has reportedly been placed for the purchase of over 50,000 new EVMs to meet the total requirement of 70,000 to 75,000 machines.

In panchayat elections, each voter casts only one vote. However, in municipal and municipal corporation elections, since there are four seats per ward, each voter has the right to cast four votes. The voting systems for urban and rural areas differ accordingly.

The first-level checking of EVMs is expected to take place in January. Elections to the nine newly formed municipal corporations and 17 taluka panchayats in Gujarat are also likely to be held simultaneously with other local body elections. DeshGujarat