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Election LIVE updates: Mahayuti vs MVA battle in Maharashtra, final phase in Jharkhand

Tribune Web Desk

Updated At : 10:57 AM Nov 20, 2024 IST

Students of an art school urge citizens to cast their votes in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, at Lalbaug, in Mumbai, on Tuesday. PTI

Polling began on Wednesday morning in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, where the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is vying to retain power and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) combine is hoping for a strong comeback.

Voting began in all the 288 Assembly seats at 7 am and will end at 6 pm, an election official said. The votes will be counted on November 23.

In the Mahayuti alliance, the BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena is in the fray in 81 seats, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. In the opposition's MVA combine, the Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) has put up 86 candidates.

Meanwhile, polling for 38 Assembly seats in the second and final phase of Jharkhand elections also commenced on Wednesday, amid tight security arrangements.

Altogether 528 candidates, including Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren and Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri of the BJP, are trying their luck in the second phase of the elections.

Polling for by-elections to Kedarnath Assembly seat in Uttarakhand, nine Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh and Kerala's Palakkad Assembly constituency are also under way.

Rivals Amit Thackeray and Sada Sarvankar shake hands outside temple in Mumbai

November 20, 2024 10:48 am

We are definitely going to form government in Jharkhand: Kalpana Soren

November 20, 2024 10:38 am

#WATCH | Giridih: Kalpana Soren, wife of former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren & JMM candidate for Gandey assembly by-election, says, "This is the first time after the formation of Jharkhand that the women in the state have been given their respect that they deserve...Hemant Soren has… pic.twitter.com/JSu1OGVglz
— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Sachin Tendulkar, his wife and daughter cast votes in Mumbai

November 20, 2024 10:30 am

#WATCH | | Former Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, his wife and their daughter cast their votes at a polling station in Mumbai#MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024 pic.twitter.com/JX8WASuy4Y
— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Come out and vote, polls will decide Maharashtra's future: Sharad Pawar to voters

November 20, 2024 10:04 am

6.61 per cent voter turnout till 9am in Maharashtra Assembly elections

November 20, 2024 10:01 am

Gadchiroli district witnessed 12.33 per cent turnout in the first two hours of polling. The Armori Assembly segment in the district registered 13.53 per cent polling. Mumbai city recorded 6.25 per cent polling.

Jharkhand polls: 13 pc voter turnout recorded in 38 assembly seats till 9 am

November 20, 2024 9:54 am

The ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc is seeking to retain power riding on its welfare schemes, while the BJP-headed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is trying to wrest it.

Bypolls: Kedarnath records 4.30 per cent polling in first hour

November 20, 2024 9:53 am

The Assembly seat in Rudraprayag district fell vacant after the death of BJP MLA Shaila Rani Rawat in July this year. There are six candidates in the fray, with BJP's Asha Nautiyal and Congress's Manoj Rawat seen to be locked in a straight contest.

UP bypolls: CM Yogi Adityanath, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav urge people to cast their votes

November 20, 2024 9:52 am

Voting is underway in Meerapur, Ghaziabad, Kundarki, Khair, Karhal, Sisamau, Katehari, Majhawan, and Phulpur.

Bypoll: Kerala's Palakkad witnesses moderate turnout after first hour of polling

November 20, 2024 9:51 am

The first hour of voting in the Palakkad Assembly bypoll witnessed a low turnout of 1.11 per cent at 8 am which climbed to 6.76 per cent by 8.30 am, according to figures released by the Election Commission.

Actors Akshay Kumar, Rajkummar Rao, Shubha Khote cast vote in Maharashtra Assembly elections

November 20, 2024 9:16 am

“Everyone should come out and vote because that's the most important thing,” Kumar told reporters after casting his vote.

Ajit Pawar, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat among early voters

November 20, 2024 9:01 am

Bhagwat exercised his franchise at a polling booth in Nagpur's Mahal area soon after the voting began at 7 am.