According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Manjalpur constituency in Vadodara has experienced a voter turnout of 34.35 per cent by 5:00 PM on July 30. This data indicates the level of public participation in the by-elections held today.

Manjalpur, located in Gujarat, is one of the three assembly constituencies currently holding by-elections. Alongside Manjalpur, bypolls are also taking place in Datia, Madhya Pradesh, and Bankipur, Bihar. The results from these constituencies are expected to influence the political landscape in their respective states significantly.

The Manjalpur seat became vacant following the passing of incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Yogeshbhai Narandas Patel, who had successfully contested the election for three consecutive terms. This has heightened the stakes in this election cycle, with both major political parties aiming to secure a victory.

Main Contenders in the Manjalpur Bypoll

The principal candidates in the Manjalpur by-election are Satish Patel of the BJP and Bhikhabhai Rabari of the Indian National Congress. The contest between these two candidates is expected to draw significant attention as both parties seek to maintain or gain political influence in the region.

The Gazette Notification for the by-elections was issued on July 6, 2026, which initiated the nomination process. Candidates were required to submit their nominations by July 13, and nomination papers underwent scrutiny on July 14. Participants had until July 16 to withdraw their candidatures if they chose to do so.

As today marks the polling for three assembly seats across the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar, the counting of votes is scheduled for August 3. This timeline highlights the swift nature of the electoral process and the urgency with which results will be sought.

Polling Irregularities Reported in Other Constituencies

In a related matter, Prashant Kishor, the founder of Jan Suraaj and candidate for the Bankipur Assembly by-election, has accused the police of acting unfairly and making arrests during the polling process. Kishor claims that more than 30 party workers have allegedly been detained, suggesting that this may intimidate voters and influence the election in favour of the BJP.

Kishor recently visited the Gol Ghar polling station in Patna, where disturbances during voting were reported. He alleged that members of his party were systematically removed from tables set up for their election campaign, heightening tensions among local residents. Kishor stated that law enforcement officials have allegedly entered homes to apprehend individuals affiliated with Jan Suraaj.

In Datia, the focus has been on the rivalry between leaders of the BJP and Congress, who are making declarations about their anticipated victories. BJP senior leader Narottam Mishra, along with BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari and Congress nominee Ghanshyam Singh, participated in the voting process and called for widespread voter engagement to ensure a fair outcome in the elections.

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