Thu Nov 21 21:51:13 UTC 2024: **Maharashtra Records Highest Voter Turnout Since 1995; Exit Polls Predict Mahayuti Victory**

MUMBAI, INDIA – Maharashtra witnessed its highest voter turnout in Assembly elections since 1995, with provisional figures exceeding 65.1% by late Wednesday night. This surpasses the 61.39% recorded in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the 61.4% in the 2019 Assembly elections. The surge in participation, attributed to a fierce campaign by both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliances, is expected to be a crucial factor in determining the election outcome.

While Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed the high turnout favors the BJP and Mahayuti, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole expressed confidence in an MVA victory. Rural areas showed significantly higher turnout than urban areas, with Kolhapur district recording the highest at 76.25%, while Mumbai city registered the lowest at 52.07%.

Several high-profile constituencies saw varied turnout; Baramati, where Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is contesting, recorded 71.03%, exceeding the 2019 figure. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s constituency saw a 59.85% turnout.

Polling day was not without incident, with reports of violence in Nashik and Beed, malfunctioning CCTV cameras, and allegations of intimidation.

Exit polls, though criticized for their inaccuracy in previous elections, largely predicted a Mahayuti victory in Maharashtra, though opinions were divided regarding the Jharkhand results. The Election Commission urged self-regulation within the exit polling industry. The final results will be declared on Saturday.

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