Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 6.61% by 9 am on Wednesday in the single-phase assembly elections, while Jharkhand saw a higher turnout of 12.71% in the second phase of its assembly elections, according to the Election Commission of India.
In Maharashtra, the Naxal-affected district of Gadchiroli recorded the highest turnout at 12.33%, while Osmanabad had the lowest at 4.85%. In Mumbai, the turnout was 6.25%, while the Mumbai Suburban area saw 7.88%. Other regions, such as Nagpur (6.86%), Thane (6.66%), Pune (5.53%), and Nashik (6.89%), recorded varying turnouts.
In more rural districts, voter turnout varied, with Kolhapur at 7.38%, Ratnagiri at 9.30%, and Latur at 5.91%. Areas like Sindhudurg, Washim, and Wardha reported turnouts of 8.61%, 5.33%, and 5.93%, respectively.
In Mumbai’s constituencies, Dharavi recorded a low turnout of 4.71%, while areas like Malabar Hill (8.31%) and Mahim (8.14%) saw higher participation.
Meanwhile, Jharkhand’s second-phase assembly elections reported a turnout of 12.71% by 9 am. Pakur district led with the highest turnout of 16.12%, while Bokaro had the lowest at 12.48%. Other districts like Ranchi (16.00%), Ramgarh (15.87%), and Sahebganj (14.17%) saw significant voter engagement.
Maharashtra’s Nanded constituency saw a 6.03% turnout by 9 am. BJP leaders in both states urged voters to come out in large numbers. Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule encouraged voters to participate actively, calling for 100% turnout and dismissing allegations against BJP leader Vinod Tawde as a conspiracy.
In Jharkhand, BJP Chief Babulal Marandi expressed confidence that the BJP-NDA alliance would secure over 51 seats, citing public discontent with the current JMM-led government in the state.
Voting began at 7 am in both states—Maharashtra for 288 assembly seats and Jharkhand for the second phase, covering 38 seats.