Lok Sabha polls 2014: Final turnout of 61.7% in Maharashtra till 6 PM

MUMBAI: Most constituencies of Maharashtra’s 19 Lok Sabha seats witnessed high turnout. In some specific places, such as Sushil Kumar Shinde’s Solapur, the turnout was low. Though polling was peaceful, in Pune many voters complained that their names had suddenly gone missing from the voter list. A complaint was registered against Deputy CM Ajit Pawar for allegedly threatening voters and complaints of EVM faults were recorded in Konkan.

The turnout in wester n Maharashtra’s sugar belt was very high, EC officials said. Kolhapur’s Hatkanangale, which witnessed a heated tussle between farmer leader Raju Shetty and Congress’ Kalappa Awade, recorded a turnout of 63 per cent at 5.30 pm while Kolhapur city saw 62 per cent polling and Sangli 69 per cent. BJP national spokesperson Prakash Javadekar, who voted in Pune, said, “The high turnout indicates that people want change. This is surely anti-incumbency vote. We are confident of winning most seats in Maharashtra.”

In Sindhudhurg where Congress’ Nilesh Rane is fighting a tough battle, voters realised whichever button was pressed on the EVM, only Congress light blinked. The faulty EVMs were replaced soon.