 "Maharashtra voter turnout at 55% till 5 pm")
Maharashtra witnessed brisk polling as the state went to polls Wednesday to elect a new state government, with the average voter turnout across 288 constituencies in excess of 55% till 5 pm.
Kagal constituency in Kolhapur district reported the highest turnout, with about half the electorate exercising its franchise. Bramhapuri in Chandrapur reported the lowest numbers, according to officials.
Mumbai, the state's capital that has acquired a reputation for voter apathy, could overturn that image this time. The maximum city registered 36% polling by 3 p.m., suggesting total turnout could cross the halfway mark by the time voting closes at 6 p.m.
Of the 4,119 candidates, 3,843 are male and 276 women. Of the 288 constituencies, including 36 in Mumbai, 234 are general, 29 reserved for scheduled castes and 25 for scheduled tribes.
While Nanded South has the maximum number of candidates (39), Akole and Guhagar have the minimum, with five each.
The BJP is fielding 280 candidates, BSP 260, CPI 34, CPM 19, Congress 287, NCP 278, Shiv Sena 282 and MNS 219.
Registered parties other than recognised state and national parties have 761 candidates in the fray, while 1,699 persons are going it alone as independent candidates.
(With inputs from agencies)
Kagal constituency in Kolhapur district reported the highest turnout, with about half the electorate exercising its franchise. Bramhapuri in Chandrapur reported the lowest numbers, according to officials.
Mumbai, the state's capital that has acquired a reputation for voter apathy, could overturn that image this time. The maximum city registered 36% polling by 3 p.m., suggesting total turnout could cross the halfway mark by the time voting closes at 6 p.m.
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About 84 million voters, of whom 53% are male and 47% women, will decide the fate of 4,119 candidates across the state. Prominent candidates in the fray include former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan of Congress, former deputy chief Ajit Pawar of NCP, former ministers R R Patil and Chhagan Bhujbal of NCP, BJP state president Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Khadse, Vinod Tawde and Pankaja Munde of BJP, Subhash Desai, Suresh Jain and Deepak Kesarkar of Shiv Sena, former ministers Patangrao Kadam, Shivajirao Moghe and Rajendra Darda Congress and Bala Nandgaonkar of MNS.
Of the 4,119 candidates, 3,843 are male and 276 women. Of the 288 constituencies, including 36 in Mumbai, 234 are general, 29 reserved for scheduled castes and 25 for scheduled tribes.
While Nanded South has the maximum number of candidates (39), Akole and Guhagar have the minimum, with five each.
The BJP is fielding 280 candidates, BSP 260, CPI 34, CPM 19, Congress 287, NCP 278, Shiv Sena 282 and MNS 219.
Registered parties other than recognised state and national parties have 761 candidates in the fray, while 1,699 persons are going it alone as independent candidates.
(With inputs from agencies)