Provisional voter turnout for Pune city’s eight constituencies during the assembly elections on Wednesday surpassed the 2019 figure of 47.68%, reaching an impressive 53.98%. According to the Election Commission (EC), Pune district recorded a voting percentage of 61.05%, significantly higher than the 57.85% reported in 2019. However, these figures are expected to be updated by Thursday as the EC continues to gather data from various polling stations.
With 21 assembly seats in Pune district—10 in rural areas, eight in Pune city, and three in Pimpri-Chinchwad—the stakes are high for both political alliances, as this region plays a crucial role in shaping Maharashtra’s political landscape. A total of 303 candidates contested for these seats.BJP leader and Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, expressed confidence in the ruling Mahayuti government, stating, “We are confident that voters will stand by us in this election.
”Voter enthusiasm was evident early in the day, particularly in housing societies across the city. In the eight Pune constituencies, areas like Kasba Peth, Parvati, Kothrud, and Wadgaonsheri saw over 6.5% voter turnout by 9 AM. This momentum continued throughout the day, with polling centers experiencing a surge in activity during the afternoon.
In contrast, rural polling stations were relatively quiet in the morning, with only 5.53% turnout recorded between 7 AM and 9 AM. Factors such as cold weather deterred many voters from heading out early. However, as the day progressed, voter turnout increased, with an additional 10.11% voting recorded between 7 AM and 11 AM, bringing the district’s total to 15.64% by that time. The highest turnout occurred between 11 AM and 1 PM, with 13.39% of eligible voters participating, raising the overall percentage to 29.03% by 1 PM.
Despite some voters facing issues like missing names on voter lists, no major malpractice incidents were reported in Pune, unlike other regions. While the Election Commission urged voters to avoid bringing mobile phones to polling stations, many did so, leading to concerns about compliance with this rule. Observers anticipate close contests in many seats, given the competitive nature of the elections.
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