Gujarat Local Body Election Results 2026: Counting Underway for Over 9,000 Seats

Vote counting for Gujarat's local body elections began on Tuesday, with results for over 9,000 seats across Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and Panchayats expected later in the day, officials from the State Election Commission said.

The Gujarat Municipal Elections 2026 covered 15 Municipal Corporations, 84 Municipalities, 34 District Panchayats and 260 Taluka Panchayats where polling took place on April 26 and 27. The outcome will decide control over more than 9,000 seats, making it a large grassroots electoral exercise in the state.

A total of 32,748 nominations were filed for the elections. After withdrawals, over 26,000 candidates remained in the contest. Several seats were declared elected unopposed before polling. According to official data, out of 9,952 seats, 722 were won without any contest following 1,663 withdrawals. The State Election Commission said that all uncontested winners were from municipalities or nagar palikas.

Even before counting, the BJP has secured a lead by winning over 700 seats without contest. The BJP is expected to win the highest number of seats overall. Attention is now on the performance of the Congress and the AAP, along with independents and smaller parties that are part of the contest.

Congress alleged that the withdrawals were due to threats, monetary inducements, and offers of positions by the ruling BJP.

Voter turnout varied across different tiers of local bodies. Municipal Corporations recorded a turnout of 49.02 per cent, while Municipalities saw 59.50 per cent participation. In rural areas, turnout was higher. District Panchayats recorded 61.69 per cent, and Taluka Panchayats saw 62.38 per cent voting. By-elections to 13 seats in 11 municipalities recorded a turnout of 55.38 per cent.

The main contest is between the ruling BJP, Congress, and AAP. Along with them, the AIMIM has also fielded candidates. Key contestants include former Gujarat-cadre IPS officer M L Ninama, former radio jockey Abha Desai, and former AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani.

In Ahmedabad, counting is being held at centres including LD Engineering College and Gujarat College. Traffic restrictions were imposed in nearby areas from midnight to manage movement and ensure security. Officials said counting is being conducted using established procedures, and results will be declared after completion of counting across all centres.

These local body elections were held after delimitation and the implementation of a 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes in local bodies. They were also the first elections after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state. The results are being closely watched as an indicator of political strength at the grassroots level ahead of future elections in Gujarat.