Maharashtra: Voters of Naxal-affected region travel 13km to cast vote

Several voters of the Naxal affected region Gadchiroli in Maharashtra travelled 13-kilometres to cast their vote with the help of the local administration. According to reports, the Naxals in the Gadchiroli region threatened the local people not to take part in the voting process. However, the voters have defied their threats. Further reports stated that the voters travelled 13 km long root of dense forest and river and reached the polling booth. 

Voters unbothered by rains

Even with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting heavy rainfall in Maharashtra's Latur on Monday, the voters in the region arrived to vote for the Assembly elections in their polling booths. Some parts of Osmanabad and Latur districts in Marathwada region, south Konkan, western and south-central parts of the State witnessed drizzle in the early morning hours on Monday, an official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed. Even with the rains, the Maharashtra Assembly has secured around 44% of voter turnout. 

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Voters use candles during a power outage

According to reports, Pune's Shivaji Nagar on Monday morning witnessed a power outage. However, the voting process continued with the poll booth officials using candles to check voter rolls and make the entries.

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Maharashtra Assembly polls

The polling is underway on Monday for the 288 seats-Maharashtra Assembly elections. The counting of the polls will be done on October 24. According to reports, in Maharashtra, a total of 8,98,39,600 people, including 4,28,43,635 women, are eligible to vote. As many as 3,237 candidates, including 235 women, are contesting in 288 seats and 96,661 polling booths are in place with 6.5 lakh staff for the voting exercise. Further, three lakh police personnel and Central forces have been deployed in the State for the security. For the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP and Shiv Sena alliance are pitted against the Congress and NCP alliance. While the Shiv Sena is contesting from 126 seats, the BJP is contesting from 162 seats. Further, the BJP is seeking a second term for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. 

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