Voters line up as Gujarat goes to polls in first phase of Assembly elections

Voting is taking place at 89 Assembly constituencies across Gujarat in phase-1 of the Assembly elections.

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   Voting for 89 of 182 constituencies spread across 19 districts is being held today, in the first phase of Gujarat Assembly elections. In pics: Voters wait in line at a polling booth at Limbdi, Surendranagar.(Express Photo: Nirmal Harindran)

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   Voting will be held between 8 am and 5 pm on Thursday across 14,382 polling stations, the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said in a release.(Express Photo: Nirmal Harindran)

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   This year, Gujarat is witnessing a three-way fierce contest with the ruling BJP looking to retain its power with the state, the Congress planning to make a comeback, and the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) hoping to repeat what it did in Punjab. (Express Photo: Nirmal Harindran)

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   While both the BJP and Congress are contesting in 89 seats, AAP is in only 88 seats, as its candidate from Surat East constituency withdrew his candidature, leaving the party with one less seat to contest in the first phase. (Express Photo: Nirmal Harindran)

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   Among the prominent candidates contesting in this phase are AAP’s chief ministerial candidate Isudan Gadhvi (Khambhalia seat in Devbhumi), AAP state unit president Gopal Italia (from Katargam in Surat), Rivaba Jadeja, and BJP MLAs Harsh Sanghavi and Purnesh Modi, Lalit Kagathara, Lalit Vasoya, Rutvik Makwana. (Express Photo: Nirmal Harindran)

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   Voters in line to cast their votes at a polling booth at Limbdi, Surendranagar. (Express Photo: Nirmal Harindran)

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   The Congress has alleged that electronic voting machines (EVMs) are not working in at least 50 polling booths, and submitted a complaint on the same to the Election Commission. (Express Photo: Nirmal Harindran)

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   Sukhdev Singh Zala is assisted as he leaves after casting his vote. (Express Photo: Nirmal Harindran)

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   Sukhdev Singh Zala is 80-years-old. (Express Photo: Nirmal Harindran)

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   Kavit Patel, a bridegroom, waits in line to cast his vote before of his wedding, at a polling booth at Limbdi village, Surendranagar during phase one of the Gujarat Assembly elections. (Express Photo: Nirmal Harindran)

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   A senior citizen shows his marked finger after casting his vote in phase one of the Gujarat Assembly elections. (Express Photo: Nirmal Harindran)

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   A senior citizen shows his marked finger after casting his vote in phase one of the Gujarat Assembly elections. (Express Photo: Nirmal Harindran)

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   Long queues of voters were seen outside the polling station in Limbayat area in Surat on Thursday morning. (Express Photo by Hanif Malek)

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   Muslims voters stand in queue outside the polling stations in Surat. (Express photos by Hanif Malek)

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   The second phase of the Assembly elections will be held on December 5. (Express Photo: Nirmal Harindran)

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   As many as 833 candidates will contest in the second phase in 93 seats across Gujarat. In pic: Muslim voters in Surat show their inked fingers. (Express Photo by Hanif Malek)

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   Results of the Gujarat Assembly elections will be declared on December 8 along with Himachal Pradesh. (Express Photo: Nirmal Harindran)