Ahmedabad, April 26 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel cast his vote at Shilaj Primary School in Ahmedabad along with his family during the ongoing local body elections on Sunday, and urged citizens, particularly first-time and young voters, to participate in large numbers.
In a message after voting, he said citizens should fulfil their democratic responsibility and strengthen participation in local governance.
He stated, “I have cast my vote with my family at Shilaj Primary School for the local self-government elections. I request all of you to definitely vote. Especially first-time voters and young voters should come forward enthusiastically for the creation of a developed Gujarat. Let us achieve 100 per cent voting and contribute to the overall development of Gujarat by fulfilling this sacred duty of democracy.”
Voting continued across Gujarat since 7 a.m. for municipal corporations, municipalities, district panchayats and taluka panchayats, with polling being conducted across thousands of booths under State Election Commission supervision.
Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil also cast his vote at Uttar Gujarat Vidyalaya in Surat, accompanied by his family, including his 89-year-old mother.
State Cabinet Minister Arjun Modhwadia voted in his native Modhwada village in Porbandar district along with his family.
After casting his vote, he said that democracy derives its strength from voters and emphasised that participation in elections is a civic duty.
"Local self-government institutions play a vital role in the development of villages and cities. Citizens must vote in large numbers," he added.
Rajkot Municipal Commissioner Tushar Sumera also cast his vote with his family at a polling station in the city as civic officials across the state participated in the electoral process.
In the Botad district, polling is being held in Barwala for municipal, taluka panchayat and district panchayat seats under tight security arrangements, with officials reporting peaceful voting.
Saints from the Swaminarayan Temple also participated in the voting process.
In Morbi district, BJP MLA Durlabhjibhai Dethariya from the Tankara constituency cast his vote as polling continued across local bodies.
Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi voted in Surat and appealed to young voters to participate actively, calling the elections part of a broader development-oriented mandate.
The State Election Commission said voting is continuing until evening and counting on April 28.
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