788 candidates are in fray for 89 seats acorss 19 districts as Gujarat votes in first phase of the assembly elections.
Out of the 89 seats going to polls in the first phase, the BJP won 48 in the 2017 election, the Congress had won 40, while one seat was bagged by an independent candidate.
The BJP and Congress are contesting in all the 89 seats. The new poll entrant AAP is contesting in 88 seats.
Among other parties, the BSP has fielded 57 candidates, BTP 14 and CPI-M four candidates.
As many as 339 independents are also in the fray in the first phase of polls.
Also read: Amid a triangular conundrum, how BJP is placed this time | Gujarat Elections 2022
Out of the total 788 candidates, 70 are women including nine fielded by the BJP, six by the Congress and five by the AAP.
AAP's chief ministerial candidate Isudan Gadhvi is contesting from Khambhalia seat in Devbhumi Dwarka district of Saurashtra region that goes to polls on Thursday. AAP state unit president Gopal Italia is contesting from Katargam in Surat.
Among other prominent candidates in the first phase are Rivaba Jadeja, the wife of cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, who is contesting from Jamnagar (North).
The second phase will be held on December 5 and counting on December 8
Gujarat Election 2022 Voting Live Updates
(With inputs from PTI)