maharashtra-early-voting-sees-6-33-turnout-across-13-constituencies

A voter turnout of 6.33% was recorded by 9 am on Monday across 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra, as the fifth and final phase of the state's general elections got underway, according to poll authorities.

Among the constituencies, Bhiwandi saw 4.86% polling, Dhule 6.92%, Dindori 6.40%, Kalyan 5.39%, Mumbai North 6.19%, Mumbai North Central 6.01%, Mumbai North East 6.83%, Mumbai North West 6.87%, Mumbai South 5.34%, Mumbai South Central 7.79%, Nashik 6.45%, Palghar 7.95%, and Thane 5.67%.

Speaking to reporters in Thane, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed confidence that the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance would secure all 10 seats in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), which includes six seats in Mumbai, three in Thane district, and the Palghar seat.

Polling stations in various parts of Mumbai experienced a steady turnout, with early voters such as Union Minister Piyush Goyal, industrialist Anil Ambani, and actor Akshay Kumar casting their ballots.

Other prominent early voters included Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das, former Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, actors Janhvi Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar, and Marathi theatre actor Prashant Damle.

Many voters lined up before the polling booths opened at 7 am, aiming to avoid the midday heat.

In Thane city, some Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) malfunctioned but were swiftly repaired, according to district poll officials.

In Mumbai's Vile Parle area, one voter shared, "I decided to vote early to avoid the heat," while another added, "I wanted to vote and then leave for work." 

Shiv Sena candidates, including Ravindra Waikar from Mumbai North West, Rahul Shewale from Mumbai South Central, and his Shiv Sena (UBT) rival Anil Desai, were among the early voters.

BJP's Mihir Kotecha from Mumbai North East, Kapil Patil from Bhiwandi, and Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Arvind Sawant from Mumbai South also cast their votes early.

Additionally, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from Nashik, Rajabhau Waje, exercised his franchise in the morning hours.