Women display their voter identity cards as they wait to cast their vote during the first phase of the Gujarat state assembly election in Rajkot. (Source: AP Photo) Women display their voter identity cards as they wait to cast their vote during the first phase of the Gujarat state assembly election in Rajkot. (Source: AP Photo)

A total of 68 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first phase of the high-stakes assembly elections in Gujarat on Saturday, the Congress and BJP were locked in a head-to-head contest in the voting for the 89 seats of the total 182 in the state. The voting for 93 remaining seats of north and central Gujarat, including Chhota Udepur, will be held on December 14.

A total of 977 candidates are in fray for the first phase polls. Prominent candidates include Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who is contesting from Rajkot (West), and Congress’ Shaktisinh Gohil (Mandvi) and Paresh Dhanani (Amreli). The election is viewed as a prestige battle for PM Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. The campaign shaped up as a duel between Modi and Gandhi. While Modi addressed about 15 rallies, Gandhi spent more than seven days in Saurashtra and south Gujarat, addressing a number of meetings.

Here are the Highlights:

7.50 pm: Thanks for joining us at the Indian Express Live Blog. For more visit indianexpress.com

7.00 pm: Denying complaints of hacking of EVM through Bluetooth, Election Commission of India said that there is no receptors wired in EVMs to facilitate such activities.

There is no such connection of any Bluetooth or EVM. EVMs don't have receptors or wiring to facilitate that. So such reports are false.: Election Commission of India #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/LwpdQiGzVQ — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

6.52 pm: As voting concluded, highest voter turnout was recorded in Navsari and Morbi districts with 75 per cent.

6.46 pm: Election Commission is hopeful that the figures of voter turnout will go up as the final data is received in some time.

By the time we get final figures voting percentage may go a little higher and touch last year's figure.: Election Commission of India #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/xng48jKNMx — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

6.42 pm: 68 per cent voter turnout has been recorded in the first phase of Gujarat election on Saturday: Election Commission.

6.35 pm: ECI has secured the EVMs in the strong rooms, the counting will take place on December 18.

#Visuals from Rajkot: EVMs & VVPATs being sealed after first phase of polling ends in #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/3MBIGuVL42 — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

6.31 pm: Election Commission thanks people of Gujarat for polling in phase one, says the election was conducted peacefully and without any conflict.

6.14 pm: I asked the people of Mehsana- which party believes in misgovernance, which party brought corruption in the nation, which party looted the nation for years, which party divided society…you can guess their unanimous answer: PM Modi on Twitter.

I asked the people of Mehsana- which party believes in misgovernance, which party brought corruption in the nation, which party looted the nation for years, which party divided society…you can guess their unanimous answer. pic.twitter.com/JI8T1mYWwx — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 9, 2017

6.11 pm: Rahul Gandhi attacked PM Modi from his hometown in vadnagar.

Glimpses from a public meeting at Sri Satso Samaj Omia Trust Ground, Vadnagar, Mehsana with Rahul Gandhi. #Vote4ChangeVote4Congress #GujaratRound1 pic.twitter.com/5GiacJlYl9 — Congress (@INCIndia) December 9, 2017

6.03 pm: “First phase of polling has ended, we are extremely grateful to EC, the officials & voters for peaceful & successful completion of voting. I’m sure, as per the reports that are coming, that BJP is going to register a landslide victory,” says Arun Jaitley.

5.45 pm: Few voters in polling booth 4 said their votes are going to some other candidate. Polling Officer said it’ll be tested & if it’s found to be false action will be taken against them. Those voters left without tests. There’s no truth behind such reports: Bharuch District Collector.

Few voters in polling booth 4 said their votes are going to some other candidate. Polling Officer said it'll be tested & if it's found to be false action will be taken against them. Those voters left without tests. There's no truth behind such reports: Bharuch District Collector pic.twitter.com/3oqJsSfWUv — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

5.40 pm: Rahul Gandhi targets Modi and Amit Shah over Jay Shah’s episode and says that Modi will not speak anything on how Jay Shah converted Rs 50,000 to Rs 80 crore in just months. Gandhi is addressing a rally in Vadnagar.

5.37 pm: PM Modi thanks, people of Saurashtra, Kutch and South Gujarat for voting in Phase I election. He then asked people of Mehsana to vote in similar fashion on December 14. “First Namo, then ‘Jamo”, Modi says for December 14 to a huge gathering in Mehsana.

5.36 pm: You may have to take care of sons, daughters and sons-in-law, I have to take care of 125 crore Indians: Modi at Mehsana.

5.30 pm: “Magician tries to hide things. He tries to distract people from reality and that’s what Modiji is doing. He talks about himself and not about real issues,” says Rahul Gandhi in Vadnagar.

5.26 pm: 90% samay unhone apne aap pe bhashan dia, Narendra Modi ne Narendra Modi ke baare mein bhashan dia, aur kuch bacha hi nahi! But this election is not about Modi Ji or me, it is about Gujarat’s future: Rahul Gandhi in Mehsana’s Vadnagar: Rahul Gandhi in vadnagar

90% samay unhone apne aap pe bhashan dia, Narendra Modi ne Narendra Modi ke baare mein bhashan dia, aur kuch bacha hi nahi! But this election is not about Modi Ji or me, it is about Gujarat's future: Rahul Gandhi in Mehsana's Vadnagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/s35e136Wvd — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

5.23 pm: Polling in Phase I of Gujarat election concludes, 60.16 per cent votes clocked till 4 pm. The highest voter turnout recorded in Navsari district at 67.56 per cent.

#GujaratElections2017: Phase-I polls conclude. Guj clocks 60.16 percent polling till 4 pm: highest n Navsari district 67.56% @IndianExpress — Avinash Nair (@Avinashgnair) December 9, 2017

5.13 pm: 47.28 per cent voter turnout recorded till 4 pm in the first phase of Gujarat election, reports news agency ANI.

5.03 pm: In Modi’s hometown Vadnagar Congress candidates mock “stories of crocodile, chaiwala” associated with him and seek answers for killings of army personnel on the border, rising crude oil prices, LGP cylinder, lesser MSPs.

5.02 pm: While PM Modi speaks in Mehsana, Rahul Gandhi has arrived in his hometown of Vadnagar to address a meeting.

4.55 pm: PM Modi who is addressing a rally in Mehsana said that there is no other solution to the problems of India than development.

4.47 pm: Rahul Gandhi is now headed to Vadnagar, the hometown of PM Narendra Modi.

People await Rahul Gandhi in Vadnagar. (Express Photo) People await Rahul Gandhi in Vadnagar. (Express Photo)

4.40 pm: Giving rest to the complaints of EVM hacking through Bluetooth BB Swain, Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat said, “After the Election Commission ordered an inquiry. Accordingly, we ordered Porbandar district collector to conduct an inquiry. The collector went to the polling station with engineers of BEL. We also asked Arjun Modhwadia, who is Congress candidate for Porbandar Assembly constituency, to go the concerned booth and the inquiry was conducted in the presence of media. BEL engineers concluded that the signal was emanating from the blue-tooth device of a mobile phone of one Manoj Singrakhiya and not from the EVM. Singarakhiya was a polling agent and his mobile handset of Intex company was emanating the signal with device name ECO 105.”

4.35 pm: Rahul Gandhi concluded his speech by urging people to vote for Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani.

4.32 pm: Rahul also brought up the Una issue and asked Mevani why the PM did not visit the houses of the Dalits. “Where was he that time.In Japan, Russia or America?”

4:30 pm: Commenting on the BJP manifesto Rahul Gandhi said,”Yesterday someone said based on the BJP manifesto it looks like the Congress can win even the 2019 elections.”

4.29 pm: Yesterday he spoke only about himself. Is this election about Modi, Congress, BJP or is it about the people of Gujarat. We have been talking to people in the last few months and have been identifying issues. I have done 300 meetings in Gujarat.We want to understand your issue: Rahul Gandhi

4.28 pm: “When Modi ji spoke on Narmada we proved that the waters of Narmada has not reached the poor and the farmers so he stopped speaking about it, he then spoke about Vikas and we showed people the true vikas. Look at his speeches in the last 15-20 days. It has been only about him. It has been Modi speaking about himself,” says Rahul Gandhi.

4.27 pm: Rahul Gandhi who is in Kanodar said, “How is the mood? These days Modi’s mood is not too good (Bigda hai). He is not talking about corruption, Narmada or Vikas nowadays. Because whatever he speaks the Congress is proving him wrong.”

4.26 pm: Voting will take place in the first phase till 5 pm.

Gujarat: Governor of Karnataka Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala cast his vote in Rajkot #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/m73EzQzIuh — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

4.16 pm: Election Commission in a bid to attract young and first-time voters have started a selfie point in Bhavnagar.

Gujarat: A selfie point built in Bhavnagar to attract voters to cast their vote. First phase of voting underway in the state today. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/vjMWNU3C96 — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

4.10 pm: No such issues reported till now. Some EVMs replaced due to errors. EVMs were updated with VVPAT, which allows people to verify their vote for 7 seconds: Yogesh Thakkar, Bhavnagar Deputy Electoral Officer on reports of faulty EVMs in 1st phase of polling in Gujarat.

4.06 pm: With 45 per cent voting in the first phase of the election so far, maximum voter turnout has been recorded in Tapi where 57.26 per cent voting took place till 2 pm.

4.05 pm: While BJP is talking about development and sharing our vision for Gujarat, Congress is busy abusing me. Latest to join the list is a young Congress leader who asks me who my parents are…I tell him and his party- my everything is India and 125 crore Indians: PM Modi

While BJP is talking about development and sharing our vision for Gujarat, Congress is busy abusing me. Latest to join the list is a young Congress leader who asks me who my parents are…I tell him and his party- my everything is India and 125 crore Indians. pic.twitter.com/xWrQDfcz5d — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 9, 2017

4.00 pm: 45.61 per cent voting has taken place in the first phase of Gujarat election till 2 PM according to latest data from the Election Commission.

3.55 pm: While people vote on 89 seats in the first phase of Gujarat election today, BJP and Congress leaders are busy campaigning for the second phase of election which are scheduled for December 14.

3.45 pm: PM Modi who was in Anand shared a video of his visit on Twitter.

Memorable moments in Anand. Thank you for the affection! pic.twitter.com/uvTVtTkWY2 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 9, 2017

3:35 pm: Congress President-Elect Rahul Gandhi shared the stage with dalit leader Jignesh Mevani campaigning for the second phase of elections in the state.

Rahul Gandhi on stage with dalit leader Jignesh Mevani. (Express Photo) Rahul Gandhi on stage with dalit leader Jignesh Mevani. (Express Photo)

03.30 pm: A voter turnout of over 35 percent was recorded till 2 pm in the first phase of the Gujarat assembly elections, ANI reported.

03.10 pm: Malfunctioning of EVMs were reported from certain areas in Surat, like Varachha, Surat west and walled city areas, after which the EVMs were replaced. Congress leader and candidate from Porbandar Arjun Modhwadia reportedly filed a complaint with the EC that the EVM in his constituency were “connecting via Bluetooth”. Modhwadia was not available for comment. The Election Commission officials did not confirm any glitches in the machines, all of which are VVPAT enabled. The Congress, however questioned the functioning of EVMs.

03.05 pm: While NDA government has waived off lakhs of crores of more than 10 industrialists loans, Arun jaitley says it is not in our (BJP) policy to waive off farmers loans? But what wrongs have farmers done? Because they don’t travel in Mercedes car or chartered planes? But Congress government will waive off farmers’ loans within 10 days of coming to power in Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi

03.00 pm: PM Modi is now left with only one thing. He now speaks about himself. Sixty to seventy per cent of his Friday’s speech was about himself. But this election is not about Modi, Rahul or Solanki. It is about the future of Gujarat, says Rahul Gandhi

02.55 pm: Modi ji then picked up Mani shankar Aiyer’s comments. He went around complaining that he has called me so and so. Modi ji said this is my election’s agenda. But Modi ji never spoke about about corruption in any of his rallies. Do you know why? Because Amit Shah’s son converted Rs 50,000 into Rs 80 crores, says Rahul Gandhi

02.50 pm: They have everything, central govt, UP govt, Maharashtra govt, IB…everything. But Congress party has nothing but the truth of Gujarat, says Rahul Gandhi

02.45 pm: Modi ji first announced to fight elections on Narmada. But he found that Narmada water has not reached villages. Narmada water has gone to Tata Nano factory. So, he dropped this agenda. Modi ji then said I will fight on OBC issue. But it also failed. Modi ji then said I will fight on Vikas (development). But then he found that this plank is also not working and gave it up: Rahul Gandhi

02.43 pm:

A team of Election Commission reaches polling booth in Thakkar Plot, Porbandar after complaints of EVM being connected to Bluetooth #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/ETmuu73Fwk — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

02.40 pm: Congress is coming to power in Gujarat. But it will not be the government of industrialists. It will be the government of farmers, poor people, workers and small shopkeepers: Rahul Gandhi

02.30 pm: “Did Narendra Modi come to you when police entered your house, beat you up, opened fire on your youths? Did Modi visit the houses of Dalits when Dalit youths were beaten up?” Rahul Gandhi asks Patidars at Harij

02.20 pm: In the first four hours of polling till 12 pm, Gujarat witnessed an average voter turnout of 30.31 percent, with the highest turnout being recorded in the districts of Tapi, Morbi and Navsari.

02.10 pm:

02.05 pm: Congress has made it a practice to say EVM malfunctioned every time when they face defeat. Therefore, they are preparing ground before December 18 to blame their defeat on EVM: MoS PMO Jitendra Singh

02.00 pm:

There is no issue, at few places where machines had problems that has been resolved, machines have been replaced wherever required. Polling is going on peacefully: Harshad Patel, Bhavnagar District Collector #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/u5ILpiiFba — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

01.55 pm: CM Vijay Rupani’s Rajkot (west) constituency records 29.20 per cent polling till midday. Jasdan Assembly seat records highest polling among all 8 seats by having recorded 35.04 per cent turnout till 12 PM

01.45 pm: Those born in royal families and palaces do not know what poverty is like. Those who know not if potatoes are grown in fields or manufactured in factories will not understand poverty, says PM Modi

01.35 pm: Congress leaders are unable to understand and identify with the aspirations of the tribal communities and the farmers, says PM Modi

01.30 pm:

BJP spokesperson Raju Dhruv (centre) helps his 85-year-old mother Nirmala Dhruv cast her vote, in Rajkot on Saturday #Live #GujaratElections2017 @IndianExpress @lynnmis pic.twitter.com/2DZ5zFuKkG — Gopal Kateshiya (@gopalreports) December 9, 2017

01.25 pm: I have served Gujarat for 13 years. When I was CM, I have spent all my time working for the people of Gujarat and now I am serving the people of India with your blessings. Our focus is development, says PM

01.20 pm: I am fortunate to work as ordinary ‘karykarta’. I am possibly the first PM who has spent nights in more than 400 district, says PM Modi in Bodeli

01.15 pm: PM Narendra Modi arrives in Bodeli of Chotaudepur

01.10 pm: Muslim voters tradionally dressed in burkha and skull cap at Mughlisara in Surat

01.05 pm: The polling percentage in Amreli district till 12 pm-Dhari 30.53 per cent, Amreli 30.80 per cent, Babra 30 per cent, Savarkundla 25.73 per cent and Rajula 33.60 per cent.

01.00 pm: This will be a landslide victory for BJP and the win will be resounding. Congress’ campaign tactics have failed, says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley

12.50 pm: BJP leader Sambit Patra says Dalit rights activist Jignesh Mevani got funds from Popular Front Of India outfit.

12.45 pm: PAAS co-convener Bhavesh Jajadiya accompanied by PAAS volunteers after casting their vote at Katar Gam area in Surat.

12.30 pm: Aji Chandrawadiya, who according to Rajkot district electoral officer is 126-year-old and thus oldest voter in the district, gets her finger inked in Upleta taluka of Rajkot district. Upleta is part of Dhoraji Assembly seat

12.25 pm: Heavy turnout of voters in the first phase of polls. Rajkot and Surat record 36 per cent of polling by 12 noon.

12.20 pm: PM Modi ends his speech at Lunawada, will now proceed to Bodeli in Chhota Udepur district

12.12 pm: PM Modi attacks Congress for accusing him of siding with the rich, says, “The Swachch Bharat Abhiyan is for the poor. Do you think Ambani and Adani or other rich people live in ‘gandagi’? This is to make lives of poor better. They cannot stand upliftment of the poor. So, you must teach them a lesson on December 14. Do not let them stand in Gujarat. Ensure that the BJP gets over 150 seats in Gujarat.”

12.08 pm: PM Modi blames Congress for not resolving Triple Talaq, says, “We resolved triple talaq issue. We think that in today’s world, a Muslim daughter should have the same rights as a Hindu daughter. But Congress did not want to give the Muslim daughters their rights.”

12.05 pm: “The Muslim women first pleaded with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi about the triple talaq problem. But he was advised against upsetting Muslim community. So he never resolved the issue,” says PM Modi on Triple Talaq

12.02 pm: PM Modi repeats the Atkana-Latkana-Bhatkana jibe for Congress, says, “They are promising reservations to everyone -OBCs, Dalits, other communities; where are they going to bring so much reservation from? Their business is spreading lies and ‘looting’ people.” He says Congress did not bring any law to implement reservation. “When I came into power, Congress OBC MPs also came to me and said since I am an OBC, I must help. I told them if rule permits, I will do. I do not believe in injustice to any community. We didn’t have majority in the Rajya Sabha, so we pleaded to the Congress party to clear the bill in the Rajya Sabha to confer constitutional status on the Backward Classes Commission but they did not budge.”

12.00 pm: PM Modi accuses Congress of giving “lollipop” to Muslim community, says, “Every election, you lied to the Muslims and promised them reservation. My Muslim brothers here should tell me didn’t they ‘maaro gappa’ about reservations? Did you get reservation?”

11.55 am: PM Modi in defends the provisions of the Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill (FRDI) 2017, blames Congress for spreading lies about the bill. “They have been lying that people will lose their money,” Modi says. PM accuses Congress of leaving banks bankrupt, says, “They are spreading lies about FRDI bill. The banks are in debt of lakhs of crores due to their misdoings. And they are spreading lies to mislead people about FRDI.”

11.45 am: On Mani Shankar Aiyar’s “neech” comment, PM Modi asks people, “Many of you here belong to the lower castes, do you like being called ‘neech’. Won’t you avenge this insult from the Congress? No matter where your son goes, doesn’t your son run to your assistance at the first call? Do I need to read the newspapers to know what your problems are. You raised me, you made me who I am. You have a right to hold my hand when I am wrong. There are so many people in Lunawada, whom I know by name. Don’t you see me as your Prime Minister, as the son of your house ‘ghar na dikra’.”

11.40 am: PM Modi attacks Congress leader Salman Nizami, says, “One young leader of Congress, who is in Gujarat right now seeking votes for Congress and Rahul Gandhi has written on Twitter that Rahul Gandhi’s grandmother and father have sacrificed their lives for the country. We have no problem with Nizami writing about Rahul Gandhi’s grandmother or father; but then he asks, ‘Modi tu bata, teri maa kaun hai, tera baap kaun hai’. Is this how you talk to me? Is this good language? This Nizami is the same person who has sought Azad Kashmir, called the Indian Army ‘rapists’. Is the Indian Army rapist? Nizami is the star campaigner of Congress, asking votes for Rahul. Will you forgive him? Nizami said ‘Ghar ghar se Afzal niklenge’. Do you want to produce Afzals in Gujarat? Even Muslims in Gujarat do not use such language. And, I want to tell him, my maa and baap is Bharat, the country. They have no laaj, sharam, niyam.”

11.38 am: Will people of Gujarat accept the Congress, which was rejected by people of the country? The Congress has not understood the mindset of the people of Gujarat. They are going to punish Congress: PM Modi. He said that Congress is so ‘depressed’ that they have resorted to abusing Modi. “They do not know that abusing Modi is hurting the Gujarati public,” he said.

11.37 am: PM Modi accuses Congress of “spreading lies” in Gujarat to mislead voters. “For all these years, one family has divided the country, made brothers fight with each other. Congress lost power in most of the states. Are the people mad that they are driving away the Congress? I started Swachch Bharat Abhiyan, but the people of the country have initiated political Swachchta Abhiyan by cleaning up the Congress,” says PM Modi.

11.36 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his public address in Lunawada in Mahisagar district. Mahisagar goes to polls on December 14

11.35 am:

Eight Assembly constituencies falling in Rajkot district record average 12.37% polling till 10am. Rajkot (west), the seat from where Chief Minister Vijay Rupani is contesting has recorded 11.44% polling in the first two hours #GujaratElections2017 @IndianExpress @lynnmis pic.twitter.com/lP67WcAURO — Gopal Kateshiya (@gopalreports) December 9, 2017

11. 33 am: Total of 9.77 per cent voter turnout till 10 am in first phase of voting

11.30 am:

A group of Patidars protest as BJP’s Reshma Patel arrives to cast her vote in Junagadh, #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/cLGt3QZmFQ — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

11.25 am: Voting percentage till 11 am in the following districts:

Bharuch district (16 per cent), Narmada district (13.25 per cent), Tapi district (19 per cent), Jamnagar district (20 per cent), Surendranagar district (19 per cent), Rajkot district (18 per cent) and Porbander district (18 per cent).

11.20 am: Bharuch BJP MP Mansukh Vasava, former Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, casts his vote in Narmada district

11.18 am:

Have replaced two machines and one VVPAT, you cannot really call it a technical error, these are electronic items there can be some issues. Now everything is okay & voting has started: Vipul Goti, Master Trainer, Election Commission in Surat’s Varaccha #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/RVF86aW4Wh — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

11.15 am: Booth No 83 in Gondal Assembly seat had recorded 11 per cent polling by 10 am

11.10 am: In Gondal Assembly, out of 1334 voters, 160 had cast their votes.

11.00 am: Around 8 per cent voters turn out in first hour of voting

10.55 am: We saw the symbol of the party we voted for. It gave us assurance that the vote has gone to whom we voted for through EVM, say Somiben Dantani and her husband Ishwar, both of whom are casual labourers in Gondal

10.50 am: Gitaba Jadeja, wife of convicted BJP MLA Jairajsinh Jadeja is BJP candidate while Congress has given ticket to Arjun Khakhariya

10.48 am:

10.45 am:

#Live Polling in progress at a booth in Gondal town of Rajkot district. Voters are carting their votes for 89 Assembly seats of Gujarat in the first phase on Saturday #GujaratElections2017 @IndianExpress @lynnmis #GujaratElections2017 pic.twitter.com/3pBFLXWTuV — Gopal Kateshiya (@gopalreports) December 9, 2017

10.40 am: Congress’ Arjun Modhwadia casts his vote at a polling booth in Porbandar. He is contesting against BJP’s sitting MLA Babu Bokhiria.

10.30 am: DEO of tribal Narmada District says that reporting of figures from shadow zone areas posing a problem due to bad network connectivity. The district is using the wireless service of police and forest departments to connect with 103 polling booths in the shadow zone, where there is no other mobile network connectivity. Narmada district has two Assembly Constituencies, Dediapada and Nandod, with about 309 polling stations in each constituency and a total of 103 shadow booths, the highest in the state. Total shadow booths in the tribal belt of Gujarat are 399 according to State Election Commission.

10.20 am: Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel casts his vote in his native Piraman village that falls in Ankleshwar assembly constituency of Bharuch district in South Gujarat. He says, ”Congress will win more than 110 seats.”

10.10 am:

A couple in Bharuch cast their votes before their wedding ceremony #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/TuXxKDpkK0 — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

10.00 am: Faulty EVM in Sardar Patel Vidyalaya booth in Surat’s Varaccha has been replaced

09.50 am: Cricket Cheteshwar Poojara (centre) with his father Aravind Poojara and Rajkot districts collector Vikrant Pandey (first from left) after casting their votes, in Rajkot

09.40 am: Voting underway on Surat’s Kamrej assembly seat. BJP’s Zalavadiya Vinubhai Dahyabhai is up against Congress’s Ashok Jirawala

09.30 am: Around 2.12 crore voters would be exercising their franchise. A total of 977 candidates are in fray for the first phase polls.

09.25 am: Earlier today, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said the participation of voters is the soul of democracy. He welcomed and congratulated the people who are voting for the first time in the Gujarat elections. He appealed to the people to vote in large numbers to make this ‘festival of democracy a successful one’.

मतदाताओं की भागीदारी लोकतंत्र की आत्मा होती है। गुजरात चुनाव में पहली बार वोट डाल रहे युवा साथियों का बहुत स्वागत और अभिनन्दन। गुजरात की जनता से अपील है कि भारी संख्या में मतदान कर लोकतंत्र के इस पर्व को सफल बनाएं। — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 9, 2017

09.15 am: CM Vijay Rupani casts his vote in Rajkot. He is contesting against Congress’ Indranil Rajyaguru from Rajkot-West seat

09.05 am: We are going to win 150+ seats under the leadership of PM Modi ji, we face no obstacles, says Jitu Vaghani, BJP Gujarat Chief and candidate from Bhavnagar West

08.55 am:

Visuals of locals after casting their vote in Surat’s Majura. BJP MLA Harsh Sanghvi is contesting against Congress’s Ashok Kothari. This seat was formed after the 2008 delimitation. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/zWTV4fq7I6 — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

08.45 am: In the first phase of the elections, 27,158 EVMs are being used in 24,689 polling stations

08.40 am:

Voting underway on Surat’s Choryasi assembly seat. Here BJP’s Jhankhnaben Patel is up against Congress’s Yogeshbhai B. Patel

#GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/3p84yV2br3 — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

08.35 am: BJP Gujarat Chief Jitubhai Vaghani casts his vote in Bhavnagar

08.30 am: “Today is the first phase of voting in Gujarat, I appeal to all the brothers of Gujarat to vote for maximum number of votes to keep the pace of development of Gujarat. Make sure to vote in Gujarat for its development and dignity to remain unaffected in the country and the world,” tweeted Amit Shah.

આજે ગુજરાતમાં પ્રથમ તબક્કાનું મતદાન છે, હું ગુજરાતના તમામ ભાઈ-બહેનોને ગુજરાતના વિકાસની ગતિ જાળવી રાખવા માટે વધુમાં વધુ સંખ્યામાં મત આપવા માટે અપીલ કરું છું. ગુજરાત તેના વિકાસ અને ગૌરવ સાથે દેશ અને દુનિયામાં આવી જ રીતે ગરજતું રહે એ માટે અવશ્ય મતદાન કરો. pic.twitter.com/EpMGvLn2kf — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 9, 2017

08.25 am: Queue outside a polling booth in Surat

08.15 am:

Voting underway in J.H. Ambani Saraswati Vidyamandir polling booth in Surat #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/f6s6ASldQE — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

08.07 am: Voting begins for 89 seats in the first phase of Gujarat election 2017

08.05 am: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani took to Twitter, saying, “My Dear Citizens, Your vote is crucial. Please exercise your franchise and affirm your right of nation building.”

07.55 am:

Voting for first phase of #GujaratElection2017 to begin shortly. Visuals from polling booth no 62 in Rajkot pic.twitter.com/ju40GxFM1d — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

07.45 am: Last night taking a jibe at the campaigning in Gujarat, senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha took to Twitter saying, “The style of campaigning in Gujarat elections marks a new low in our politics.”

07.30 am: Maximum candidates contesting on a seat are 27 from Jamnagar Rural and minimum are 3 from Jhagadia and Gandevi (ANI)

07.20 am: Voting for first phase of Gujarat Election 2017 to begin shortly

Voting for first phase of #GujaratElection2017 to begin shortly. Visuals from Piraman village polling booth no.171 in Bharuch’s Ankleshwar pic.twitter.com/QmjaAaFl13 — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

07.00 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes to Twitter, says, “Phase 1 of Gujarat polls begin. Urging all those voting today to turnout in record numbers and vote. I particularly call upon youngsters to exercise their franchise.”

Phase 1 of Gujarat polls begin. Urging all those voting today to turnout in record numbers and vote. I particularly call upon youngsters to exercise their franchise. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 9, 2017

📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest Elections News, download Indian Express App.

© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd