Turnout percentage lower but 10 lakh more votes, will gain: BJP Gujarat chief

“In Phase-1 of polling, 1.51 crore votes were cast. In the same 89 seats in 2017, 1.41 crore votes were cast, thus 10 lakh more votes were cast compared to the previous polls,” Paatil said.

In this same five-year period, the total number of voters in Gujarat rose by 55 lakh, from 4.35 crore to 4.9 crore, a rise of 13%.

“In percentage terms, the voting looks less… But the total votes have increased,” he said, addressing reporters. Figures shared by the Election Commission show that in Phase-1 voting on December 1, a turnout of 63.31% was recorded, which is lower than the 66.79% in 2017.

Claiming that the increased number of voters will benefit the BJP, Paatil said the party will create three records in this time: most seats, the largest lead by candidates, and record vote share for the party.

On the Opposition’s claims that the whole top brass of the BJP being pressed into campaigning showed the party’s nervousness, Paatil said it was natural for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to participate as Gujarat was their “home”.

He urged people that on December 5, the second phase of the polls, they should “convert their trust in PM Modi into votes”.

Campaigning for the 93 seats that will vote in Phase-2 ended on Saturday.