Lok Sabha polls 2014: 8.81% turnout in Maharashtra in first two hours

MUMBAI: Nineteen Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra, where polling is being held today in the second phase of election in the state, recorded an average of 8.81 per cent voter turnout till 9 AM.

Among early voters were Union Home Minister and Congress candidate in Solapur Sushilkumar Shinde and NCP nominee in Pune district's Baramati constituency Supriya Sule, daughter of party chief Sharad Pawar.

Former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who had to quit three years ago over the alleged involvement in the Adarsh Housing scam, cast his vote around 8.30 AM at a booth in Shivaji Nagar are of Nanded city. He was accompanied by his wife and other family members.

Chavan appealed people to come out in large numbers to exercise their right to franchise.

BJP's Gopinath Munde, who is seeking a second term as MP from Beed, also cast his vote at a booth in Nathra village of Parli tehsil in the district.

Young voters as well as senior citizens were seen lining up enthusiastically since early morning in Pune city which experienced a drizzle in the wee hours.

The polling was peaceful. No untoward incident was reported.

The constituency-wise voting percentage till 9 AM is: Hingoli: 11.19 per cent, Nanded 8.5 pc, Parbhani 13 pc, Maval 7 pc, Pune 8.5 pc, Baramati 9.5 pc, Shirur 8 pc, Ahmednagar 7 pc, Shirdi 7 pc, Beed 9.92 pc, Osmanabad 9.5 pc, Latur 8.60 pc, Solapur 10.3 pc, Madha 7.3 pc, Sangli 9.5 pc, Satara 7.33 pc, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg 9.35 pc, Kolhapur 9 pc and Hatkanangle 7 pc.

About 3,24,27,558 electorate in constituencies of western Maharashtra, Marathwada and Konkan are eligible to cast their votes in this phase of polling.