80 per cent voter turnout for Mah local bodies polls

Mumbai, Nov 19 (UNI) Approximately 80 per cent of the 54.91 lakh voters in Maharashtra today exercised their franchise in the elections to the 167 municipal councils and two nagar panchayats held here in Maharashtra.

Polling was peaceful and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the state.

State Election Commissioner Nandlal said the highest voter turnout was registered in Parbhani and some other areas of Marathwada while the lowest voter turnout was in Virar (40 per cent) on the outskirts of Mumbai.

''The turnout was between 78 to 83 per cent. The final percentage will be available tommorrow. At the moment, we can say that approximately, the turnout was 80 per cent,''he said.

The election was being held to elect 3,733 councillors from a total of 16,317 candidates.

The polling which began at 0730 hrs ended at 1730 hrs.

Official sources say 124 councillors have already been elected unopposed.

This is the maiden time that 8,500 electronic voting machines which will be used for local body elections. The counting will be held on November 20.

Considered as the mini assembly elections, the polls are an acid test for all the four major parties in the state. Shiv Sena-BJP have succeeded in working out their seat adjustments in 122 municipal councils while the Congress-NCP alliance could not go beyond 18.

The NCP is contesting at 105 places on it's own strength.

UNI MR WD AG1831