EVM Counting Commences in Manjalpur After By-Election Records 37.5% Turnout
Election officials in Vadodara began tabulating results for the Manjalpur Assembly seat on Monday morning. The contest pits BJP's Satish Patel against Congress candidate Bhikhabhai Rabari.
Key takeaways
- Vote counting for the Manjalpur Assembly seat started at 8 a.m. on August 3, 2026, under heavy security.
- The by-election was triggered by the death of eight-term BJP legislator and former minister Yogesh Patel.
- The contest features a direct battle between BJP's Satish Patel and Congress's Bhikhabhai Rabari.
- Voter turnout for the bypoll reached 37.5%, down from 60.15% in the 2022 assembly elections.
Security Tightens as Counting Begins
Election Commission officials initiated the vote count for the Manjalpur Assembly by-election at 8 a.m. on August 3, 2026. The process is currently underway at Bhavan's School in the Makarpura district of Vadodara. To ensure the integrity of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), authorities have implemented a multi-layered security cordons around the counting facility.
A Direct Political Standoff
This bypoll serves as a straight contest between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress. The candidates vying for the seat include:
- Satish Govindbhai Patel (BJP): A former councillor for the Vadodara Municipal Corporation.
- Bhikhabhai Rabari (Congress): Current Gujarat vice president for the party and a former state minister.
The July 30 election day saw participation from 37.5% of eligible voters, a significant drop from the 60.15% turnout recorded during the 2022 general assembly elections. Despite the lower engagement, officials confirmed the voting process across 260 stations was peaceful.
Context of the Vacancy
The legislative seat became vacant following the June 2 death of veteran politician Yogesh Patel. Patel, who passed away after a long illness, was a formidable figure in Gujarat politics. His career spanned 36 years and eight consecutive terms in the state assembly. Initially representing Raopura five times starting in 1990, he transitioned to the Manjalpur constituency in 2012 following delimitation, holding it through the 2017 and 2022 cycles.
Source: The Hindu — National
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