Maharashtra Lok Sabha Election Phase 3: State records turnout of 54.77 per cent till 8 pm

Maharashtra election 2024 live: The 11 constituencies have 23,036 polling centres of which 114 are “critical”.

Maharashtra witnessed a voter turnout of 54.77 per cent till 8 pm. The state has 48 Lok Sabha seats. In the first phase on April 19, five Lok Sabha seats went to polls while eight voted on April 26.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP-led NDA alliance won 41 out of 48 seats and a vote share of 51.34 percent.

The third phase will determine the fate of several prominent leaders, including NCP (SP) candidate and Sharad Pawar's daughter, MP Supriya Sule; Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar; Union Minister Narayan Rane; descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Udayan Bhosale; and Chhatrapati Shrimant Shahu Maharaj, among others.

The high–profile Baramati will have the highest number of candidates at 38 while Ratnagiri–Sindhudurg at 9 has the least number of candidates.

All eyes are on the Baramati constituency as it will witness a battle of prestige that will decide the legacy of Pawars.  The constituency will witness a direct contest between opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) nominee and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar's daughter, Supriya Sule, and her sister-in-law, Sunetra Pawar, the wife of state Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar.

Union minister Narayan Rane, contesting on a BJP ticket, is up against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Vinayak Raut in Sindhudurg-Ratnagiri. The Sangli seat will see a three-way battle among sitting BJP MP Sanjaykaka Patil, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Chandrahar Patil, and independent Vishal Patil.

Around 2.09 crore people are voting  on May 7, which includes 1.07 crore men, 1.02 crore women and 929 transgenders. The 11 constituencies have 23,036 polling centres of which 114 are “critical”.

Here are the key highlights of the Phase 3 Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra.

8:00 pm: State  witnessed a voter turnout of 54.77 per cent.

5:00 pm: State records voter turnout of 53.40 per cent.

2.25 pm: A voting centre in Maharashtra's Baramati constituency is operated entirely by differently-abled persons.

2.25 pm: "The banks were open till late last night, there are some videos of it in the media. Some money was caught in Bhor (town), in Baramati money was distributed. It's very unfortunate that in a peaceful Maharashtra of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar, and our most beloved leader YB Chavan... this is the first time we are seeing this kind of bad behaviour, it is very surprising and disappointing," said Sule.

2.17 pm: Voter turnout till 1 pm
Latur..32.71%
Sangli...29.65%
Baramati...27.55%
Hatkanangale...36.17%
Kolhapur...38.42%
Madha...26.61%
Osmanabad...30.54%
Raigad...31.34%
Ratnagiri -Sindhudurg...33.91%
Satara...32.78%
Solapur...29.32%

11.am : I appeal to all the voters of Maharashtra to use their voting right for state's progress and country's development. Use your voting right to strengthen our democracy," says Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde

10.25 m: Voting has commenced at the Raireshwar polling booth in the taluka, situated at the highest altitude within Pune district, falling under the Bhor assembly constituency of the Baramati Lok Sabha seat.

Positioned at an altitude of 4505 feet, the centre serves 160 registered voters from nearby hamlets.

10.16 am: Parliamentary constituencies voter turnout at 9.30 am

Latur----------7.91%

Sangli-------5.81%

Baramati-------5.77%

Hatkanangale--7.55%

Kolhapur----8.04%

Madha-----4.99%

Osmanabad----5.79%

Raigad-------6.84%

Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg-----8.17%

Satara----7%

Solapur------5.92%

10:05 am : After casting her vote, NCP-SCP MP and candidate from Baramati Lok Sabha seat, Supriya Sule said, "In a strong democracy, the Constitution should be kept at the centre and third phase of voting is taking place, it should be done peacefully."

9.54: NCP-SCP candidate from Baramati Lok Sabha seat, Supriya Sule casts her vote at a polling booth in Baramati

9.39 am: Union minister and BJP candidate from Ratnagiri–Sindhudurg constituency, Narayan Rane offers prayers at a temple in his village, in Sindhudurg district.

• Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, his wife and NCP candidate from Baramati Lok Sabha seat Sunetra Pawar reach a polling booth to cast their vote.  "The party leaders and the workers who campaign for their candidate always believe that their candidate will win. This is the beginning. It is still not 6pm. I am sure people will support our candidate. This election is for the development of Baramati..." says Ajit Pawar.

• Actor Riteish Deshmukh casts vote in Latur. "I came to Latur from Mumbai to cast my vote. Everyone should come out of their houses and cast votes. Today is an important day. Everyone should definitely vote..." said Deshmukh.

• Accompanied by members of the royal family, Chhatrapati Maharaj came to vote along with his family at the polling station in Kolhapur, where he is contesting as a united Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate.

• Voting begins across 11 constituencies in Maharashtra at 7am.