Maharashtra Assembly Elections LIVE: Ajit Pawar, Mohan Bhagwat, Akshay Kumar among early voters

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: NCP candidate from Vandre East constituency Zeeshan Siddiqui casts his vote. "I would appeal everyone to use their precious vote. It is your right to choose a government, it is your right to become a part of world's largest democracy. I have to vote, my father (Baba Siddiqui) is not with me (physically)... it feels different this time, but I feel he is with me," said Zeeshan Siddiqui.

 Maharashtra Elections: Actor Farhan Akhtar and film director and his sister Zoya Akhtar cast their vote at Mount Mary Convent High School in Mumbai's Bandra. 

Mumbai: After casting his vote, Sachin Tendulkar said, "I have been an icon of the ECI (Election Commission of India) for quite some time now. The message I am giving is to vote. It is our responsibility. I urge everyone to come out and vote."

Mumbai: Actor Ali Fazal shows his inked finger after casting his vote for  Maharashtra Assembly Elections2024.

Former Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, his wife and their daughter cast their votes at a polling station in Mumbai.

NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule along with her family show their inked fingers after casting a vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. NCP has fielded Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and NCP-SCP has fielded Yugendra Pawar from the Baramati Assembly constituency.

Mumbai: Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra, S. Chockalingam casts his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, at the polling booth in Sachivalay Gymkhana, under Colaba constituency. Chockalingam said, "For the past one month, nearly 5 lakh polling officers and employees as well as more than 2 lakh security personnel were working continuously for you and are waiting now at polling stations and booths awaiting your arrival. Don't sit at home thinking that it is a holiday. We are waiting for you with all the facilities to encourage you to ensure that you are exercising your franchise..."

Mumbai: Film director Kabir Khan shows his inked finger after casting his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.

Mumbai: After casting his vote, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das says, "The arrangements (at the polling station) were very good. I congratulate the Election Commission. The elections are being held in the middle of the week, so everyone is expecting a high voter turnout."

Pune: Maharashtra Minister and BJP candidate from Kothrud, Chandrakant Patil says, "Voting percentage should increase. I appeal to people to come and vote. We have also motivated 20-25 NGOs to give some incentives to people that if you vote between 7 am and 11 am we will give things like coffee etc to encourage people to vote."

On money distribution allegations against Vinod Tawde, he said, "He cannot do this."

 "I wanted to be a part of the process of change or adding my opinion through vote. It was very easy. Every table has somebody telling you exactly what you need. They are very nice and accommodating," said actor Rashmi Nigam after casting vote at St Anne's High School, Mumbai's Bandra.

BMC Commissioner and District Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani shows his inked finger after casting his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections2024.  "I would like to give people the same message that we have given so far, all arrangements have been made. Voters will get all kinds of facilities, there will be queue management, seating arrangement, drinking water, wheelchair...We have made wide-scale arrangements for this...Voters of Mumbai should come out to vote in large numbers...There is no reason for voters to not come to voting centres and vote," he said.

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: "Eknath Shinde has done good developmental work. He has led the state well and we believe he will continue to work for development for the next five years. Kedar Dighe is contesting against him (Eknath Shinde)... let's see if he loses deposit and how many votes he gets," said Prakash Shinde, brother of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, after casting his vote in Thane.

Mumbai: After casting her vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, actor Gautami Kapoor said, "I feel great. I think casting a vote is amazing. You feel liberated and I think it is very important for every citizen to vote because every vote makes a huge difference. So, please vote...It's very important, we can change the country."

Maharashtra: Shiv Sena candidate from Mumba Devi seat, Shaina NC and her daughter Shanaya Munot show their inked fingers after casting their votes for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.

Shaina NC said "I want to appeal to my Mumbaikars to come out and cast their votes. You can raise if you cast your votes, you can criticise if you cast your votes. I have the blessings of Maa Mumba Devi. I hope people will give me a chance to work for the truth with full accountability and transparency..."

Baramati: NCP-SCP candidate from Baramati Assembly seat, Yugendra Pawar said, "I am 100 per cent confident that the people of Baramati will not forget Sharad Pawar and will bless us."

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.

Baramati: Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP candidate from Baramati Assembly constituency, Ajit Pawar said, "We have done the work, we want to work and we have the vision for future developments. I have faith in the voters of Baramati that they will make me victorious and send me to the Assembly for the 8th time."

"The best thing is that the arrangements are very good. I can see that arrangements for senior citizens are very good and cleanliness has been maintained. Everyone should come and vote because that is the most important thing," said actor Akshay Kumar after casting his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai.

Film director Kabir Khan arrives at a polling booth in Mumbai to cast his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections2024.

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Actor Akshay Kumar arrives to cast his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai.

Actor Rajkummar Rao leaves from a polling booth in Mumbai after casting his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections2024. He said, "It is very important (to vote). Everyone, please step out and vote. This is the voting day, it is very important."

Nagpur, Maharashtra: After casting his vote, RSS leader Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi said, "People should use their democratic right and cast their vote wisely."

Mumbai, Maharashtra: After casting his vote, former Uttar Pradesh Governor and BJP leader Ram Naik says, "I cast my vote in every election. Looking at the atmosphere of the last few months, I feel that Vidya Thakur (BJP candidate) will be elected from here..."

On allegations against Supriya Sule and Nana Patole, Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP candidate from Baramati Assembly constituency, Ajit Pawar said, "Whatever audio clip is being shown, I just know that I have worked with both of them. One of them is my sister and the other is someone with whom I have worked a lot. The audio clip has their voices, I can figure out from their tone. An inquiry will be done and everything will be clear."

Ashish Shelar said, "Come out and carry out your responsibility...Be a part of the 'Vikas ki ganga' of your state." On BJP leader Vinod Tawde and Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sanjay Raut's 'note jihad' jibe, he said, "Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut's party does 'cut jihad'. Their party speaks the language of caste, they sought votes in the name of caste but people cut them away...He (Vinod Tawde) himself said, come and investigate. But what was found? Neither cash, not Rs 5 Crores, or bag or diary...Holding a meeting is his right. This is an attack, they are losing so this has been done out of frustration..."

Maharashtra Elections: Mumbai BJP president and candidate from Bandra West assembly constituency, Ashish Shelar casts his vote at a polling station in St. Stanislaus High School of Bandra in Mumbai.

Nagpur, Maharashtra: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat urged people to vote as he said it is a citizen's duty. "In a democracy, voting is a responsibility of citizens. Every citizen must perform their duty. I always make it a point to vote first and do other works later on the polling day. I was in Uttaranchal (Uttarakhand) and decided to cut short my tour by a day and come for voting. I will return today," he said.

After casting his vote, Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP candidate from Baramati Assembly constituency, Ajit Pawar said "Even during Lok Sabha, members of our family were contesting against each other and everyone has seen that. I tried to meet everyone in Baramati. I am hopeful that this time the people of Baramati will make me victorious...The people of Baramati will think about it (money distribution allegations against Vinod Tawde)..."

Governor CP Radhakrishnan says, "Ours is the biggest democracy of the world. My appeal to all the youngsters, elders and women - they all should come and vote. Whomever they want to vote for is their choice but they should come out and vote. This is the basic duty of every citizen that whenever there is an election, we should go to the polling booth and vote..."

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat shows his inked finger after casting his vote at a polling booth in Nagpur for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.  Mahayuti has fielded Rahul Narwekar (BJP) from here, he faces a contest from Maha Vikas Aghadi's Heera Devasi (Congress).

Governor CP Radhakrishnan casts his vote at the polling booth at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, under Colaba Assembly constituency. Mahayuti has fielded Rahul Narwekar (BJP) from here, he faces a contest from Maha Vikas Aghadi's Heera Devasi (Congress).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an X post said, "Today, votes will be cast for all the seats of Maharashtra Assembly elections. I urge the voters of the state to be a part of it with full enthusiasm and add to the splendour of the festival of democracy. On this occasion, I appeal to all the youth and women voters to vote in large numbers."

Maharashtra: Shiv Sena candidate from Mumba Devi, Shaina NC said, "I have received the blessings of Maa Mumbadevi from the very first day... I hope that I work in service of the people and public interest...On hand there is our PM and on the other is the CM, Deputy CM - there has been cooperation from everyone...When we have the blessings of Ma Mumbadevi, I believe that victory is certain...I urge the people to come out and vote because when you vote, you carry out your moral responsibility..."

On NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule and BJP leader Vinod Tawde, she says, "I don't want to go into any speculation. This is the day of the decision...The manner in which Mahayuti govt has worked, we want to work at the same speed..."

Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP candidate from Baramati Assembly constituency, Ajit Pawar arrives at a polling station in Baramati to cast his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat arrives at a polling booth to cast his vote in Nagpur.

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Shiv Sena candidate from Mumbadevi constituency Shaina NC offered prayers at Mumba Devi Temple in Mumbai.

Polling began 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. Over 9.7 crore voters will be choosing from among the 4,136 candidates in the fray, the official said.

Mock polling underway at a polling booth in the Amravati Assembly constituency.

To cast your votes in Maharashtra, voters must provide voter IDs or other legitimate ID proof to the polling booth. The polling will start at 7 am and will continue till 5 pm. The voters can find the polling booth and all the information online even before reaching for voting.

How to find voters list with phone number

• First you need to log in the official website at electoralsearch.eci.gov.in and pick your language and state.
• On the home page, fill in your registered mobile number and captcha code. 
• Then press on the ‘Send OTP’ option and get the one-time password.
• Then, you enter the OTP and press on ‘Search’.
• Finally, your name and other details will be showcased on the voters' list.

How to find voters list via EPIC number

• First log in to the official site at electoralsearch.eci.gov.in and choose your language.
• On the home page, enter your EPIC number and key in the captcha code in the provided space.
• Press on ‘search’.
• Finally, you name and other details will be showcased on the voters' list.

To cast your vote on Wednesday, ensure you have both your voter slip and voter ID card. The voter slip is usually sent by the poll officer to your registered address. If you haven't received it yet, you can download it online.

Here is a step-by-step guide to download your voter slip online:

• To download the voter slip, visit the Election Commission of India's website https://voters.eci.gov.in/
• You will find the E-PIC Download section on the right-hand side of the page
• A new webpage will open and you will be asked for registration
• You need to feed your details to register on the site
• After registration, you should log in
• Then, enter EPIC number (voter ID card number) 
• Click on the search option and you will see your name on the page
• OTP will be sent to your mobile number for verification
• After entering the OTP, you can easily download the voter slip

The voter count in Mumbai has crossed the one crore mark, up from 98.95 lakh during the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year, a civic official said. At the time of the Lok Sabha polls, Mumbai had 98,95,602 eligible voters, including 25,16,667 in the island city and 74,64,974 in the suburban district, as per EC data.

"There are 1,02,29,708 voters in Mumbai for the assembly polls, comprising 25,43,610 in the island city and 76,86,098 in the suburban district. There are 54,67,361 men, 47,61,265 women and 1,082 are transgender persons. Of these, a total of 1,46,859 voters are above the age of 85 years and 23,928 are persons with disabilities. A total of 2,288 are overseas voters and 1,475 service voters," said Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation chief Bhushan Gagrani.

In an attempt to boost voter turnout in Thane district, a one-click facility has been introduced for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections wherein voters only have to scan QR codes to find out about polling stations. The official said the QR codes will direct voters to their designated polling booths, providing them with critical information such as the exact location and address.

Mock polling is underway at a polling booth in Kopri-Pachpakhadi Assembly constituency, in Thane. 

Mock polling is underway at a polling booth in Mumbai. Polling on all 288 Assembly constituencies of the state will begin at 7 am. 

Mock polling is underway at a polling booth in Mahatma Society Club House of Pune. 

The seizures of cash, alcohol, and other items amid the poll code conduct for the Maharashtra assembly elections amounted to Rs 660.16 crore, while 8,668 of 8,678 complaints lodged through the C-Vigil app were resolved.

As per the information shared by the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer, 8,678 complaints were lodged across Maharashtra via the Election Commission's C-Vigil app from October 15, when the model code of conduct kicked in, to November 18. Of these, 8,668 complaints were resolved.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), a total of 4,136 candidates are in the fray for the assembly elections in Maharashtra, up from 3,239 in 2019. The number of candidates has increased by 28 per cent this time compared to the 2019 state assembly elections.

Among these candidates, 2,086 are independents. Rebels are in the fray in over 150 constituencies, with candidates from the Mahayuti and MVA contesting against their party's official nominees.

More than 30,000 police personal have been deployed on security duty in Mumbai for the Maharashtra assembly elections to be held on Wednesday, officials said.  Elaborate arrangements have been made to maintain law and order and ensure smooth conduct of the elections, a police official said on Tuesday.

Five additional commissioners of police, 20 deputy commissioners of police, 83 assistant commissioners of police, more than 2,000 other police officers and 25,000 personnel have been deployed, he said.  Additionally, three Riot Control Platoons have been put on duty for the purpose of maintaining order.

Key leaders in the fray include Chief Minister Eknath Shinde from Kopri-Pachpakhadi, where he faces Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Kedar Prakash Dighe. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is contesting from his stronghold, Nagpur South West, against Congress' Prafulla Gudadhe.

NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is vying to retain Baramati, a traditional stronghold of the Pawar family, against Yungendra Pawar of NCP (SP). In Mumbai, Aditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) is seeking re-election from Worli in a Sena vs Sena contest against Shiv Sena's Milind Deora. Similarly, Amit Thackeray of MNS faces a triangular battle in Mahim against Shiv Sena's Sada Sarvankar and Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Mahesh Sawant. 

The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) has put up 86 candidates. Smaller parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), are also contesting, with BSP fielding 237 candidates and AIMIM 17 in the 288-member Lower House.

The BJP is contesting the elections in 149 seats, Shiv Sena is in the fray in 81 seats, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. Notably, smaller parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), are also contesting, with BSP fielding 237 candidates and AIMIM 17 in the 288-member Lower House.

The Maharashtra assembly elections will be held on November 20, with the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance vying to retain power and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) combine hoping for a strong comeback. Polling will begin in all the 288 assembly seats at 7 am and end at 6 pm, an election official said. The votes will be counted on November 23.