Ahmedabad : Gujarat is all set for polling on May 7 for 25 Lok Sabha seats, excluding Surat, and 5 assembly by-elections. The Election Commission has completed preparations, ensuring EVMs and staff reach all 50,787 polling stations by Monday evening.

Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat, P. Bharti, confirmed the completion of EVM and VVPAT commissioning, as well as the distribution of voter information slips. Among the polling stations, 182 have been designated as model polling stations, with 7 Sakhi polling centers staffed entirely by women and a youth polling station. Additionally, 13,600 polling stations have been identified as sensitive, requiring 10 SRP companies for critical areas and 1.20 lakh policemen on standby.

Precautions are being taken for the expected heatwave, with temperatures forecasted around 40 degrees Celsius. Polling booths are being equipped with pavilions, and voters are advised to follow National Disaster Management Authority guidelines, including staying hydrated and voting early.

Gujarat has seen an increase of 6.58 lakh new voters since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, bringing the total number to 4 crore 96 lakh 22 thousand 162, with 2 crore 55 lakh 43 thousand 670 male voters, 2 crore 40 lakh 76 thousand 974 female voters, and 1518 third gender voters.