On June 19, 2025, the by-elections for the Kadhi (SC) and Visavadar assembly seats took place. Voting started at 7:00 AM and continued until 6:00 PM, with a peaceful atmosphere reported throughout the process. The Election Commission introduced a new feature where polling officials uploaded voting data in real-time using the ECINET app. According to early reports, approximately 56.89% of voters participated in Visavadar, while Kadhi (SC) saw about 57.90% turnout.
Before voting began, a mock poll was conducted at each polling station with the presence of polling agents appointed by candidates. This was part of the Election Commission’s efforts to ensure transparency and fairness. The commission had also announced a special brief revision of the electoral roll for eligible citizens, which was published on May 5, 2025.
A total of 588 polling stations were set up across both assembly constituencies, following a recent decision to reduce the number of voters per station to a maximum of 1,200. This allowed for better management and accessibility for voters. Special arrangements were made at the entrances of polling stations, where voters could safely deposit their mobile phones.
Of the registered voters, there were 506,037 eligible individuals, including 24 candidates in the fray, with one woman candidate. The Election Commission ensured that facilities were adequate at each polling station, including four women-managed and one model polling station.
In terms of voter assistance, 172 elderly and disabled voters were allowed to cast their votes via postal ballot at home. This was facilitated by dedicated teams to ensure that the voting process was smooth and efficient.
The Election Commission had appointed various observers to monitor the election process, including general observers and police inspectors. Since the announcement of the elections on May 26, enforcement agencies have seized goods worth ₹90.15 lakh. On election day, the ‘C-Vigil’ app received 41 complaints, of which 34 were resolved within a 100-minute timeframe.
The commission has also digitized the process of generating index cards for voters, moving away from traditional manual methods. This will ensure faster reporting and release of data after counting.
Overall, despite a few isolated incidents of disputes, the voting process in both constituencies was smooth and orderly, reflecting the commitment of authorities to uphold democratic values and ensure that every eligible voter could exercise their right to vote.
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