The Gujarat assembly elections, which took place on December 1 and 5, 2022, saw the highest voter turnout in the state’s history. According to the Election Commission of India, the voter turnout was 68.24%, surpassing the previous record of 66.75% in the 2017 assembly elections. The elections were marked by intense campaigning by major political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Indian National Congress (INC), and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The BJP, which has been in power in the state since 1995, won 156 seats, while the INC won 17 seats and the AAP won 5 seats. The high voter turnout was attributed to the increased participation of young voters and women. The Election Commission of India also implemented various measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections, including the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the deployment of central paramilitary forces. The results of the elections were seen as a mandate for the BJP’s development agenda, with the party’s campaign focusing on issues such as infrastructure development, job creation, and social welfare schemes.

However, the INC and the AAP alleged that the BJP’s victory was due to its use of money power and electoral malpractices. The Gujarat assembly elections were widely seen as a significant event in Indian politics, with implications for the upcoming national elections in 2024. The high voter turnout and the intense campaigning by major political parties underscored the importance of the elections in shaping the state’s political landscape. With the BJP’s victory, the party is likely to continue its dominance in the state, while the INC and the AAP will have to regroup and reassess their strategies to challenge the BJP’s hegemony.

The elections also highlighted the need for electoral reforms, including the implementation of measures to prevent electoral malpractices and ensure the transparency of campaign financing. Overall, the Gujarat assembly elections were a significant event in Indian politics, with important implications for the country’s democratic process.