Maharashtra to See Over 95 Lakh Voters in First Phase of Lok Sabha Polls

As Maharashtra gears up for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls this Friday, over 95 lakh voters are set to cast their votes across five constituencies, including areas known for Naxal activities. The electoral battle sees prominent figures from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress vying for seats in these crucial constituencies.

In Nagpur, a key battleground with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari of the BJP is up against Congress's Vikas Thakre. The constituency boasts 22,18,259 registered voters, comprising 11,10,840 males, 11,07,197 females, and 222 transgender persons.

Chandrapur's Electoral Contest

Chandrapur presents another intense contest where BJP's Sudhir Mungantiwar faces off against Congress's Pratibha Dhanorkar. The constituency has a total of 18,36,314 voters. Pratibha is the wife of the late Suresh Dhanorkar, the only Congress MP from Maharashtra in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Bhandara-Gondia and Gadchiroli-Chimur Races

Bhandara-Gondia sees BJP's Sunil Mendhe against Congress's Dr. Prashant Patole, with a voter count of 18,75,106. Meanwhile, in Gadchiroli-Chimur, BJP's Ashok Nete competes against Congress's Dr. Namdev Kirsan among 16,12,930 voters.

Ramtek Constituency Dynamics

Ramtek's contest features Shyamkumar Barwe from Congress and Raju Parwe from the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. The constituency has a total of 20,45,717 voters.

Voting Timings and Security Measures

A statement from the state electoral office highlighted that five assembly segments across two Lok Sabha seats would have voting hours from 7 am to 3 pm due to their remote locations and to ensure safety in Naxal-affected areas. The decision aims to facilitate smooth polling in regions known for their challenging terrains and security concerns.

The total electorate for these five constituencies stands at 95,54,667, including 48,28,142 male voters, 47,26,178 female voters, and 347 transgender voters. This electoral exercise is crucial for both national parties as they seek to consolidate their presence in Maharashtra.

Gadchiroli-Chimur is notably the largest parliamentary constituency in Maharashtra by area due to its vast dense forests separating remote villages. This area's unique geographical and socio-political landscape adds to the significance of the polls here.

With these elections set against the backdrop of strategic political contests and security challenges in Naxal-affected areas, Maharashtra's first phase of Lok Sabha polls is poised to be a closely watched event.