Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah participated in the electoral process on Tuesday at the Nishan Public School polling booth in Ahmedabad. Voting is currently underway for 25 constituencies in Gujarat as part of the third phase of the Lok Sabha Election 2024.
Union Home Minister and prominent BJP figure, Amit Shah, who is contesting for the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat, exercised his franchise alongside his family, including his son and the head of BCCI, Jay Shah. The Congress has put forward its party secretary, Sonal Patel, as their candidate for Gandhinagar.
Post casting his ballot, PM Modi remarked, “Today marks the third phase of voting. The significance of ‘Daan’ resonates deeply within our nation, and in that spirit, citizens should exercise their voting rights diligently. There are still four rounds of voting ahead. As a voter in Gujarat, this polling station holds special importance for me, especially since Amit Bhai is contesting from here as a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate…”
“India’s electoral process and its management serve as a benchmark for democracies across the globe. It warrants thorough examination by the world’s leading academic institutions. With elections taking place in approximately 64 countries, comparative studies should be conducted. This year, democracy is being celebrated on a grand scale… I urge the citizens once again to cast their votes in large numbers and partake in the festival of democracy,” added PM Modi.
The constituencies currently undergoing voting in Gujarat include Kachchh, Banaskantha, Patan, Mahesana, Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad East, Ahmedabad West, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Anand, Kheda, Panchmahal, Dahod, Vadodara, Chhota Udaipur, Bharuch, Bardoli, Navsari, and Valsad.
Out of the 26 constituencies in the state, polling is underway in 25, as the Surat seat saw BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal securing victory uncontested after the nomination of Congress’ candidate was rejected, and other contenders withdrew from the race.