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PoliticsVoting begins in Gujarat's Manjalpur Assembly by-election
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Voting commenced on July 30, 2026, for the Manjalpur Assembly byelection in Gujarat's Vadodara district, triggered by the death of eight-time BJP MLA and former minister Yogesh Patel on June 2. The ruling BJP fielded former Vadodara Municipal Corporation councillor Satish Govindbhai Patel, while Congress nominated its Gujarat Vice-President and former minister Bhikhabhai Rabari. Polling runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 260 polling stations across 62 locations, with 2.19 lakh eligible voters (including 1,11,645 men, 1,07,847 women, and two third-gender voters). The Election Commission implemented 100% webcasting, mobile deposit facilities, and real-time monitoring. Counting is scheduled for August 3. The constituency recorded 60.15% turnout in the 2022 elections. Yogesh Patel had represented the seat since 2012 after shifting from Raopura, winning eight consecutive terms over 36 years.
Source report
The bypoll was necessitated by the death of senior BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Yogesh Patel on June 2 after a prolonged illness.
Published - July 30, 2026 10:46 am IST - Vadodara
PTI
Voting began on Thursday (July 30, 2026) for the byelection to the Manjalpur Assembly seat in Gujarat’s Vadodara district, with polling being held to decide the fate of two candidates in the fray.
Polling began at 7 a.m. and will continue till 6 p.m., while counting of votes will take place on August 3, according to the office of the Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
Background
The bypoll was necessitated by the death of senior BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Yogesh Patel on June 2 after a prolonged illness.
Candidates
- BJP: Satish Govindbhai Patel, former Vadodara Municipal Corporation councillor
- Congress: Bhikhabhai Rabari, Gujarat Vice-President and former minister
Polling Arrangements
According to the CEO’s office, all administrative, security and technical arrangements have been completed to ensure free, fair and transparent polling.
- Total eligible voters: 2.19 lakh citizens, including:
- 1,11,645 men
- 1,07,847 women
- 2 third-gender voters
- Polling stations: 260 stations across 62 locations
- Average voters per station: 844
Voter-Friendly Initiatives
The Election Commission has implemented several measures for the bypoll, including:
- 100% webcasting at all polling stations
- Mobile deposit facilities for electronic gadgets
- Real-time poll monitoring
- Adherence to the prescribed voter limit at polling stations
Historical Context
The Manjalpur constituency recorded a voter turnout of 60.15% in the 2022 Gujarat Assembly elections.
Yogesh Patel, an eight-time BJP legislator, represented the Raopura Assembly constituency in Vadodara five times between 1990 and 2007 before shifting to the newly created Manjalpur seat after delimitation. He won the Manjalpur seat in 2012, 2017 and 2022, completing eight consecutive victories in the Gujarat Assembly over 36 years.
Source
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Regional
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Voting Underway for Manjalpur Byelection in Gujarat