Gujarat polls: 38 per cent polling in first five hours

An average 38 per cent voting was recorded in the first five hours of polling across 87 seats in the first phase of Gujarat polls which will decide the fate of state political big-wigs like Keshubhai Patel, BJP's R C Faldu and Congress' Arjun Modhwadia.

"An average 38 per cent polling has been recorded till 1 PM," Additional Chief Electoral officer Ashok Manek said.

Till 11 AM, voter turn out on the 87 constituencies was a moderate 18 per cent, but in the following two hours, it increased to 38 per cent.

Even after noon, long queues were seen outside many polling booths as people were still coming to exercise their franchise.

In places like Kutiyana where Kandhal Jadeja, son of 'God Mother' Santokhben, is contesting on Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) ticket, 36 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 11 AM and officials were expecting a higher percentage of voting.

There were reports from some polling booths in Viramgam constituency, Sanand and Surat of malfunctioning of EVMs. Many people also complained that their names were missing from the electoral rolls.

The constituencies where polling started include 48 in seven districts of Saurashtra, 35 seats in seven districts of south Gujarat and four seats in Ahmedabad district.