SUMMARY: All the exit polls predict a clear BJP majority in both Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. In Himachal Pradesh, the BJP is expected to wrest power from the Congress with a massive majority. In Gujarat, the BJP is projected to win around 110 seats on average, just short of the 115 seats out of 182 it won in 2012.

21:00 That it's from our live coverage. Visit our Assembly Elections 2017 page for more news and analysis. Thank you and good night.

20:40 The Election Commission has said no FIR has been lodged against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for prima facie violating election law by giving interviews to TV channels which were aired hours before the second phase of Gujarat polling was to begin this morning.

Briefing media about the voter turnout in the second phase, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha said: "No FIR has been lodged against Rahul Gandhi. Only a notice has been issued to which he has to respond in five days."

20:05 More skepticism from the Congress.

“The media was appreciating the Congress' campaign, they were saying that the Congress was fighting at the grassroot level,” said Congress Rajeev Shukla. “So, the media's feedback was in favour of the Congress party. So, now if somebody says we are going to lose, I don’t believe that.”

19:51 "We are going to get 150 seats," Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani told CNN News18. Find out how other leaders from the BJP and the Congress reacted to the exit polls.

19:32 Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani says the exit polls have got it wrong and that the BJP will end up with less than 80 seats when the results are declared on Monday.

19:13 We finally have the Today's Chanakya exit poll for Gujarat. Breaking with all the other pollsters, it gives the BJP a huge majority in Gujarat with 135 seats. The Congress will just 47 seats in the state, as per its estimates.

19:06 Here's what psephologist and Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav has to say: Vote share estimates of all major polls show a clear lead for BJP: CSDS-ABP 9% Axis-India Today 5% MVR Times Now 6%. That looks clear and decisive, though we can’t be sure of the number of seats.

18:50 ABP-CSDS-LOKNITI has released its final projections for Gujarat. It says the BJP will win 117 seats and the Congress will bag 64 seats. Before voting took place, this was the only agency that had predicted a close contest.

18:47 Meanwhile, the Election Commission has just announced that the overall turnout for phase 2 of the Gujarat Assembly polls is 68.70 percent, which is a bit lower than the 2012 figure.

18:45 Missed all the action? Here's a round-up of what the exit polls have predicted for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

18:34 While the BJP is a clear winner in Gujarat according to the exit polls, its projected tally of around 110 seats is well short of the 150-seat target set by BJP chief Amit Shah.

18:20 Today's Chanakya indicates that 51 percent of voters in Himachal Pradesh chose the BJP. The Congress, on the other hand, will receive 38 percent votes.

18:15 The TV9-C Voter survey predicts that the BJP will win 39 out of 63 seats in central Gujarat, while the Congress will win 17 seats in Saurashtra.

18:05 According to India Today-Axis, the BJP will win 99-113 seats in Gujarat, while the Congress is likely to get somewhere between 68 and 84 seats.

18:03 TV9, too, says the BJP will comfortably win Gujarat with 107 seats to the Congress' 74.

18:02 The Republic-Jan ki Baat poll has updated its prediction for Gujarat. It says the BJP will 115 seats, the same as its 2012 tally.

17:58 Important to note here that the ABP-CSDS were the only pollsters to predict a close contest in the build-up to voting in Gujarat. They're suggesting a clear majority for the BJP now.

17:52 In the tribal belt of South Gujarat considered a key factor in these elections, ABP News-CSDS has predicted that the BJP will win 31-37 seats while the Congress will emerge victorious in 16-22 seats.

17:50 C-Voter has put out predictions for vote share in Gujarat. It says the BJP is likely to bag 47.4 percent votes, the Congress 43.3 percent and Others 9.3 percent.

17:47 Sahara is predicting 110-120 seats for the BJP in Gujarat and 65-75 seats for the Congress in the state. So all three exit polls are suggesting a similar trend so far.

17:45 Republic TV's exit poll suggests a similar trend to Times Now in Gujarat. It predicts 108 seats for the BJP and 74 for the Congress.

17:43 News Nation too predicts a clear BJP majority in Himachal Pradesh with 43-47 seats. The halfway mark is 35.

17:40 Another exit poll. This time it's Himachal Pradesh, where India Today says the BJP will register a clean sweep with 47-55 out of the 68 seats up for grabs. The Congress is the ruling party in the hill state.

17:35 Here's the first exit poll. Times Now projects that the BJP will win 109 out of 182 seats in Gujarat, while the Congress will bag 70 seats.

2012 results: BJP - 115, Congress - 61

17:35 In case you're wondering, an exit poll is a survey conducted of voters soon after they exit the polling booth. It's different from an opinion poll, which is conducted during the campaign.

17:30 Back to the controversy over the PM's 'roadshow' today. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Gujarat BB Swain has called the Congress party's complaint alleging Model Code of Conduct violation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "anticipatory" as it had been filed before the incident actually took place.

17:24 Himachal Pradesh had registered a 74 percent turnout when voting was held on November 9. The state has 68 Assembly seats and the majority mark is 35.

17:19 The predictions for Himachal Pradesh are expected at around 5.30pm.

17:13 Current estimates coming out of Gujarat suggest a 57 percent turnout for the second phase of polling.

17:05 Earlier opinion polls had predicted a clear BJP majority, but well short of the party's target of 150 seats. Will the exit polls provide a different picture?

Exit polls to come out shortly

With the second phase of the Gujarat assembly elections coming to an end today, it is time for the exit polls to come out -- the first straw that tells us which way the political wind is blowing.

Starting 5 pm, Moneycontrol will start its live coverage of Gujarat elections exit poll, crunching together numbers from various agencies as well as providing on-the-fly live updates, commentary and analyses.

Also expected today will be exit polls for Himachal Pradesh elections, voting for which took place last month.

Stay tuned to our live blog, and our special Assembly Elections 2017 page.

16:45 Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi speaks to CNN-News18: “We are not like the Congress that has made a mockery of a Constitutional institution. We have not influenced any constitutional body.”

16:30 On PM Modi's roadshow, the Election Commission says it has sought a report from the district collector.

16:20 The Congress has held a press conference on Narendra Modi's 'undemocratic' roadshow. Watch it here.

16:05 Ground report captures disaffection with BJP but love for Modi

With the election campaign in Gujarat reaching a crescendo, few would have initially thought the polls would be as bitterly-fought as they turned out to.

The sentiment on ground was unmistakable: hardcore supporters of the BJP say they have been affected by the party's policies, namely demonetisation and GST. But even they can't think of not voting for the party.

Those opposed to the BJP, though, see this election as the first in decades where they think the Congress has a serious chance.

Watch this video report.

16:00 Some Congress workers protesting against the Election Commission in Delhi have been taken into preventive custody, reports News18.

15:55 Congress leader Alpesh Thakor, the face of the OBC community in Gujarat, exercised his franchise at a polling station in the Viramgam constituency of Ahmedabad district.

“We are committed to change the kind of politics happening in the state. The Congress is set to form the next government that will work for the poor, farmers, women and all sections of the society,” he said.

15:45 Newspaper ads pitch for BJP, Congress

Even as the BJP and Congress continue to trade barbs over alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct, it has emerged that the Ahmedabad editions of some major Gujarati dailies carried ads this morning featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging voters to support the BJP.

According to Newslaundry, two of the ads contain a signed message from the prime minister. The Model Code of Conduct prohibits display of election matter 48 hours ahead of voting.

The Congress has inserted an ad in at least one local daily as well, according to the report.

15:35 Hundreds of Congress supporters have gathered outside the party's headquarters in New Delhi to protest against Narendra Modi's 'roadshow' in Ahmedabad today, which they claim was in violation of the code of conduct.

15:25 A high-level BJP delegation led by Union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Nirmala Sitharaman is on its way to the Election Commission to complain about the Congress.



Cast my vote for the 2017 Gujarat polls. pic.twitter.com/mXd9GTRvtb

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2017

15:00 Election Commission responds to Congress' allegations

Responding to allegations levelled by the Congress against BJP and the Election Commission, the EC has said, "It is not right to say that we didn't give the Congress an appointment or delayed one. It was sought around 8:15 pm and after consulting with others in the commission, the meeting was granted at 9:15 pm. It's completely wrong to say that we are biased because when the Rajya Sabha polls order was against the BJP, did they complain?"

14:53 Clashes reported in Vadodara

Clashes between two groups have been reported in Savli constituency in Vadodara. Few two wheelers were also set on fire, according to The Indian Express.

Voting has been suspended for a while even as security personnel have reached the area to bring situation under control, the report added.

14:44 Clashes reported in Vadodara

Clashes between two groups have been reported in Savli constituency in Vadodara. Few two wheelers were also set on fire, according to The Indian Express.

Voting has been suspended for a while even as security personnel have reached the area to bring situation under control, the report added.

14:40 BJP defends PM Modi, says it was a 'spontaneous gathering'

Replying to Congress' allegation that Prime Minister Modi had violated the Model Code of Conduct by holding what they called was a 'road show', BJP spokesperson GLV Narasimha Rao told CNN News18, "Every party is entitled to make allegations if they see violations. What you are seeing here is a spontaneous gathering".

14:33 Voter turnout as of 13:30:

Gandhinagar: 45%Kheda: 45%Dahod: 44%Baroda: 44%Patan: 44%Mehsana: 47%

Chhota Udaipur: 44%

Average voter turnout till 13:30 has been recorded at 44.30%.

14:27 Here's a look at the 24-year-old's political journey so far

14:19 Voting stopped in Simlaj village after complaints of EVM malfunction

The voting at Simlaj village in Aravalli district was stopped earlier after the Election Commission received complaints that the EVM did not allow pressing of the 'Congress' button, according to a report by News18.

It remains unclear if the voting there has resumed.

14:13 Two groups clashed earlier today in Hasanpur of Visnagar in Mehsana district. As many as 10 people were injured, according to a report by TV9 Gujarati.

1336: "The EC had on Wednesday promised to take action against PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, who violated the Model Code of Conduct. Today, it says they will take action after polling closes," Surjewala said.

1330: "Allowing a roadshow of PM on voting day is a gross violation of code of conduct. It is an election campaign. What is the EC doing? The images on TV will leave no one in doubt that the BJP and PM have conducted a full-fledged campaign on polling day. Shocking violation of Rules. EC is sleeping on the job. Let the media look at the images on the TV screens, search its conscience and reach a conclusion. There has not been a more blatant violation of the code of conduct on polling day. Stand up Media, to this unprecedented violation of the code of conduct. Condemn the EC for allowing this gross abuse," Congress leader P Chidambaram has tweeted.

1326: The prime minister's 'antics' are destroying democratic processes, he added.

1325: The Prime Minister is going against democratic processes, Surjewala says.

1320: The Prime Minister has breached poll code norms, says Congress leader Randeep Surjewala. Such "roadshows" are a violation and show that the Election Commission is a "front" of the BJP.

1319: The Congress is holding a press conference now.

1300: Compared to phase 1, less than 50 percent cases of EVM replacements were witnessed in phase 2 of Gujarat Assembly Election. Our target remains to replace the faulty EVMs as soon as possible: BB Swain, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer.

Out of total machines deployed for second phase of Gujarat polls, 1.63 percent VVPATs replaced after mock polls. The EC also replaced 0.88 percent ballot units and 0.86 percent control units, he added.

1245: 39 percent voter turnout recorded till 12 pm.

1245: The Congress "will expose the ‘double standards’ of an Election Commission subservient to whims of BJP and the entire scam on NPA’s. PM holds a road show & pliable agencies subvert the Constitution. Is the EC acting as PS to PM abdicating its Constitutional duties?" Congress MLA Randeep S Surjewala‏ said on Twitter.

1230: After casting vote at Ranip booth, PM Narendra Modi waved to the crowd outside. The Congress is alleging that the huge crowd and such his crowd acknowledgment is violating the Election Commission's Model Code of Conduct. "PM Narendra Modi held a roadshow after casting his vote, when he walked alongside his motorcade for a stretch and acknowledged the crowd," says Congress. — News18.com

1222: PM Narendra Modi has cast his vote at Ranip voting booth.

Ahmedabad: 9.64%Mehasana: 15.36%Gandhinagar: 14.91%Vadodara: 12.81%

Dahod: 0%

12:09 PM Narendra Modi has arrived at Nishan High School of Ranip locality to cast his vote.

12:04 On my way to cast my vote in Ahmedabad: PM Modi tweets

12:01 19% voter turnout seen in phase 2 till 11 am: CNN News 18

11:59 PM Modi to cast his vote shortly

1130: Reports of malfunctioning EVM from one booth each in Mehsana, Vadodara, and Dhatlodia of Ahmedabad are coming in.

1111: At 10 am, average voter turnout in Anand district is at 13 percent and 11.77 percent in Patan district.

1048: The Congress has petitioned the Election Commission for action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing an event organised by an industry body on the eve of the final phase of the Gujarat polls where he attacked the main opposition party.

The Congress's complaint came soon after the EC on Wednesday issued a show cause notice to Rahul Gandhi for prima facie violating the model code by giving interviews to Gujarati TV channels, and asked him to reply by December 18, failing which it will decide the matter without any reference to him.

1041: PAAS leader Hardik Patel is confident of a strong show by the Congress in Gujarat. "Congress will win nearly 100 seats," he said, after casting his vote at Viramgam.

1025: Temple runs and caste equations: A look at the Congress campaign in Gujarat

1023: Situated just 21 kilometres from Ahmedabad, Sanand is an important marker on India's industrial map. The city came into prominence close to a decade ago when Tata Motors shifted its Nano car project here from West Bengal's Singur in the wake of a farmers' agitation.

Narendra Modi was Gujarat's chief minister at the time and his decision to rescue Tata's dream of making a car for the common man cemented his image as a progressive leader. Some political pundits say it was this masterstroke that propelled him from chief minister to prime minister.

Moneycontrol visited Sanand, where Narendra Modi's decision to rescue Tata's dream of making a car for the common man cemented his image as a progressive leader.

Read More: This constituency helped turn CM Modi into PM Modi

1015 After Vadodara, Sankheda's Sodhaliya village in Chhota Udaipur has witnessed a dysfunctional EVM. Voting was halted for about 50 minutes, before the EC fixed the machine.

1010: "I am sure that BJP will achieve the target it has set for itself and the party will again form the government. Our candidate will get more votes than what I had got, and the Patidar factor is not going to affect us," Patel told reporters after casting her vote," former Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel said after casting her vote.

1007: "Main Gujarat ki janta se appeal karta hoon ki vo bhaari maatra mein aayen aur vote karein, vikas yatra ko qayam rakhein," Jaitley said after casting his vote.

1003: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has arrived at polling booth no.961 in Ahmedabad's Vejalpur.

1000: Former Gujarat CM Shankersinh Vaghela has cast his vote in Gandhinagar's Vasan village. Vaghela had quit the Congress party ahead of the Gujarat assembly elections and joined Jan Vikalp — a party floated by his supporters.

0940: Bharat Solanki, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee chief, has urged people to turn out in huge numbers for a people-friendly government.

0920: Amit Shah has cast his vote.

0915: BJP President Amit Shah has arrived to vote at Naranpura sub-zonal office. Battleground Gujarat is a battle of prestige for the party chief and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

0901: The electioneering for the second phase concluded on Tuesday after Modi took a seaplane ride from the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam in north Gujarat, and returned after offering prayers at the famous Ambaji Temple and holding a road show.

According to The Indian Express , three polling stations in Vadodara City have reported EVM malfunctioning. Election officers are replacing the machines to start voting.

0840: In Maninagar, the constituency once represented by PM Modi, Congress has given ticket to foreign-educated young face Sweta Bhrambhatt against BJP's sitting MLA Suresh Patel. Modi had vacated the constituency after becoming the PM in 2014.

0840: Pitching the Gujarat assembly polls as a battle between "dynastic rule and rule of development", BJP chief Amit Shah late Wednesday asked people to vote in large numbers to help the rule of development win. In a statement on the eve of the second and last phase of the Gujarat assembly polls, he claimed that the state suffered a lot of discrimination and injustice under the UPA government but is now developing fast, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm in the Centre.

0835: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Heeraben has arrived to cast her vote in a polling booth in Gandhinagar.

0835: The Vadgam SC seat is another key constituency from where independent candidate Jignesh Mevani is fighting the election on Congress support against the BJP's Vijay Chakravarti.

0830: To bring you up to speed, late Wednesday, the Congress petitioned the Election Commission for action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing an event organised by industry body FICCI where he attacked the main opposition party.

READ MORE: Congress seeks action against PM Modi, Amit Shah for violation of model code

0825: BJP leader Amit Shah is expected to cast his vote at Naranpura sub-zonal office in Naranpura.

0822: Former Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel has cast her vote in Ahmedabad's Ghatlodia constituency. BJP's Bhupendra Patel is up against the Congress's Shashikant Patel in this seat.

0821: Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress, is seeking election from Radhanpur constituency. Lavingji Thakor of the BJP is contesting against him.

0820: What's at stake?

0815: A snapshot of BJP and Congress candidates contesting in Gujarat Phase 2 polls

0811: According to ECI, 25,558 polling stations are set up. Total 2, 22,96,867 voters are eligible to cast votes. Of them 1, 15, 47,435 are male voters while 1, 07, 48,977 are females. 455 voters belong to third gender.

0810: Prominent candidates in the fray for today's battle include state deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, who is contesting from Mehsana against Jivabhai Patel of the Congress.

0805: A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for 93 seats spread across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat, in the final phase of the polls, where 2.22 crore people are eligible to exercise their franchise.

0800: Voting for the second phase of the crucial Gujarat Assembly polls has begun after the high-voltage campaign witnessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi leading the electioneering for their parties.