The State Election Commission has announced that local body elections will be held on February 16, 2025, with vote counting scheduled for February 18 and the election process concluding by February 21. These elections will involve the Junagadh Municipal Corporation, 66 municipalities, and three taluka panchayats. Additionally, by-elections for various vacant seats in municipal corporations, municipalities, district panchayats, and taluka panchayats will also be conducted.
Election Schedule and Preparations
The official notification for the elections will be issued on January 27, 2025, with the final date for submitting nominations set for February 1. Nomination papers will be scrutinised on February 3, and candidates will have until February 4 to withdraw. Polling hours on February 16 will be from 7 am to 6 pm, and re-elections, if required, will occur on February 17.
The elections encompass regular polls for the Junagadh Municipal Corporation and 66 municipalities, as well as mid-term and regular polls for taluka panchayats in Kathlal, Kapadvanj, and Gandhinagar. The Kheda district panchayat election has been deferred due to unresolved issues following the formation of the Nadiad Municipal Corporation.
State Election Commissioner Dr S Murali Krishna said, “Elections will be conducted in 170 institutions, covering 696 wards and 4,390 seats. A total of 1,032 sensitive and 244 highly sensitive polling stations have been identified. To ensure smooth conduct, approximately 25,000 police personnel will be deployed.”
The commission has also implemented a 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) across all relevant local bodies. New delimitation work is underway in some municipalities, and elections for these areas will be scheduled later.
Political Reactions
The announcement has drawn significant political responses. Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee President Shaktisinh Gohil welcomed the elections, emphasising the Congress party’s commitment to addressing local issues.
Gohil criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for alleged mismanagement, saying, “Municipalities are meant to provide basic amenities like water supply, drainage, and roads, but these essential facilities are lacking in many areas. This level of mismanagement is unprecedented.”
He also called upon voters to support Congress, asserting, “We will strongly fight against the BJP’s incompetence and corruption. I urge the voters of Gujarat to extend their support and blessings to the Congress party.”
Leader of the Opposition Amit Chavda raised concerns over the delay in announcing elections for gram panchayats and the Kheda district panchayat.
He questioned the government’s reluctance to release the Jhaveri Commission report on OBC quota reservations, which was submitted following Supreme Court directives.
“The government must clarify why elections for gram panchayats and certain districts have been postponed. When will Gujarat be freed from bureaucratic rule?” Chavda demanded.
Electoral Landscape
The upcoming elections are expected to witness a fierce contest between the BJP, Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and the newly revived Prajashakti Democratic Party led by former Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela.
In the 2021 local body elections, the BJP secured a landslide victory, winning 2,085 municipal seats, 800 district panchayat seats, and 3,352 taluka panchayat seats, with Congress and AAP trailing significantly.
As Gujarat gears up for the state assembly budget session on February 19, the Model Code of Conduct has come into effect in all election areas. The Election Commission has urged all political parties and candidates to adhere to the code and ensure a fair and peaceful election process.