Around 40 percent vote in Maharashtra (Third Lead)

Moderate balloting of around 40 percent was seen in the 19 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra that went to the polls Thursday, officials said.

A large number of voters, including youths, were seen at most polling stations waiting patiently in long queues since morning for their turn to vote, braving the scorching sun and heat.

According to election officials, an average of between 40-45 percent voting was recorded till 3 p.m.

Voting percentage in the constituencies thatn went to polls were - Pune 34, Maval 39, Sangli 46, Baramati 35, Shirur 37, Parbhani 47, Nanded 45, Kolhapur 52, Hathkanangale 51, Beed 49, Latur 49, Ahmednagar 38, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg 43, Shirdi 43, Solapur 39, Satara 41, Madha 45, Hingoli 46, and Osmanabad 46.

Among the early voters were top candidates like Sushilkumar Shinde, Gopinath Munde, Ashok Chavan, Supriya Sule, Udayanraje Bhosale, and others who came with their families.

Around 3.25 crore voters are to decide the fate of 358 candidates, including 24 women and 201 Independents, at 36,879 polling stations.

The first phase of the polls held in Vidarbha region's 10 constituencies April 10 saw 62.37 percent turnout. The third and final phase for the 19 remaining constituencies - of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state - will be held April 24.