Lok Sabha elections 2019: Voting ends across Maharashtra, turnout rises

The increased polling percentage could indicate an interesting contest in the state, with political observers saying the ruling combine succeeded better in bringing out its supporters, compared to the opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party.

At the end of the fourth phase of elections, all 48 Maharashtra seats have completed voting. The overall turnout was 60.68% (provisional), a marginal rise from 2014’s 60.32%.

Voting in tribal constituencies also saw a rise. (HT Photo)

The increased polling percentage could indicate an interesting contest in the state, with political observers saying the ruling combine succeeded better in bringing out its supporters, compared to the opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party.

In the fourth phase that concluded on Monday, urban areas, including Mumbai, voted in large numbers compared to the 2014 and 2009 elections, and this could be good news for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance. “It shows the ruling parties succeeded in ensuring their voters come out. I would not be surprised to see BJP-Sena sweeping all six seats, or at least five of them,” said Pratap Asbe, a political analyst.

According to primary estimates, slums and areas dominated by Muslim voters were comparatively less enthusiastic compared to 2014. This may affect the prospects of the Congress and NCP, experts said. However, former Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam said, “Voters from slums have come out in big numbers to vote for us. If plush areas have voted, it could also be in our favour,” he said. The Congress also expects a chunk of dedicated BJP voters to vote for them after MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s attack on PM Narendra Modi.