Around 75% turnout in 27 Gujarat municipality polls

AHMEDABAD: Around 75 per cent voters' turnout was recorded today in polling held for 27 municipalities across 21 districts in state.

Altogether 1641 candidates, including 658 of BJP and 609 of Congress, were in the fray for 660 seats which are up for grabs.

Counting of votes will be conducted on February 23.

As per the tentative figures released by the State Election Commission ( SEC) tonight, around 75 per cent of total 3.74 lakh voters exercised their right to franchise.

While Bareja municipality of Ahmedabad district registered the highest turnout at around 82 per cent, the lowest percentage at around 62 per cent was recorded in Maliya-Miyana municipality of Morbi district.

"Voting was held peacefully across state without any untoward incident. Counting of votes will start at 9 AM on February 23," said State Election Commission secretary Mahesh Joshi.

In November last year, election was held in 56 municipalities along with six municipal corporations, 31 district panchayats and 230 taluka panchayats.

Though the ruling BJP suffered a setback in district and taluka panchayats, it captured majority of municipalities.