India, April 27 -- Voting for Gujarat's local self-government elections, being seen as a semifinal ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls, concluded peacefully on Saturday amid minor scattered incidents. The electorate recorded a moderate response, with average voter turnout reaching 57.08 per cent by the close of polling.

Polling remained slow until 9 a.m., while intense heat led to thin turnout at many polling stations between noon and 4 pm.

However, voter enthusiasm picked up significantly during the final hours, pushing the turnout higher by the end of the day.

Among urban bodies, 15 Municipal Corporations recorded 49 percent voting, while Municipalities registered 59 percent turnout. Rural voters showed stronger participation, with ...