Despite all the high-voltage campaign, Maharashtra on Wednesday recorded a 45.53 per cent voter turnout till 3 pm. Mumbai, the most prominent city of the state and India’s financial capital, however, recorded the lowest at 39.34 per cent. The polling is underway in all 288 Assembly seats. Voting is to conclude at 6 pm.

The voting in all 288 Assembly seats kicked off at 7 am on Wednesday, with several prominent leaders from across party lines, businessmen, actors and others lined up to perform their duties as a citizen.

Earlier today, a flying squad of the Election Commission seized Rs 60 lakh in the Rajura constituency in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, where Assembly polls are underway, according to reports.

Poll officials conducted a raid at a house in Gadchandur, confiscating cash and campaign materials. In total, 17 candidates are contesting in the Rajura Assembly constituency, including Deorao Bhongle from the BJP and Subhash Dhote, the Congress nominee.

Meanwhile, a heated argument broke out between Shiv Sena candidate Suhas Kande and independent nominee Sameer Bhujbal at a polling center in Maharashtra’s Nashik district on Wednesday.

The disagreement was sparked when Bhujbal raised objections regarding the authenticity of certain voters in the Nandgaon Assembly constituency, leading to an exchange of heated words between the two candidates and their supporters.

Kande and Bhujbal, as well as their supporters, had a heated exchange of words at a polling centre in the Nandgaon Assembly constituency after the independent candidate raised objections over the authenticity of some voters in the segment.

On altercation between Kande and Bhujbal, Special IGP (Nashik) Dattatray Karale said: “Some people had gathered near a college located on Manmad-Nandgaon road in Nandgaon Assembly constituency. There was a misunderstanding that people from outside were brought there to vote. We are taking action and will lodge a case after verifying the facts of this incident. The situation is normal and the election process is underway there.”

The Election Commission of India (ECI) today asked authorities in Uttar Pradesh to ensure fair byelection in the state after controversy erupted over checking of voters’ identity. The election body has also suspended police personnel who violated guidelines to check the identity cards of voters who came to cast their ballots.

Issuing a statement, the ECI said that no eligible voter should be prevented from voting. It added that any kind of biased attitude during voting will not be tolerated. The Election Commission asserted that after receiving a complaint, there will be an immediate investigation, adding that if anyone is found guilty, strict action will be taken.

Notably, byelection are currently underway in the nine assembly seats of Ghaziabad, Katehari, Khair, Kundarki, Karhal, Majhawan, Meerapur, Phulpur and Sisamau. Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner has instructed the state’s Chief Electoral Officer and all District Election Officers and Returning Officers to ensure fair and smooth voting process.

He directed the officials to take immediate note of all complaints and take immediate action. Along with this, inform the complainant about the action taken through social media by tagging them, he added.

The election body’s intervention came after Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav shared a video alleging voter harassment. He called for the suspension of officers checking voter cards and Aadhaar IDs unlawfully. Following, the Kanpur police confirmed the suspension of sub-inspectors implicated in the allegations and urged strict compliance with election procedures.

Reports stated that the Samajwadi Party alleged that certain communities were targeted and prevented from casting their votes. However, the BJP dismissed these claims, requesting that identity verification for burqa-clad voters be intensified. 

In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh, BJP’s Akhilesh Kumar Awasthi said that some men have worn burqas and tried to vote. He added that on many occasions, they have been stopped by poll officials. He asserted that if the identity of burqa-clad women is not checked, fake voting will take place. Only proper checking will ensure fair and transparent voting, he concluded.

As Maharashtra votes for the Assembly Election, a major political battle snowballed in the state after the BJP released audio clips attributing it to NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole of using Bitcoin scam proceeds to fund elections. 

The BJP’s move followed soon after former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil on Tuesday levelled serious allegations against the Baramati MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole. The former IPS officer alleged that the two leaders misappropriated bitcoins from the 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case and used the same to fund Maharashtra assembly polls.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, also Supriya Sule’s cousin, claimed that he recognised the Baramati MP’s voice in the purported audio clips. Pledging a thorough investigation in the matter, the Deputy Chief Minister said that from the tone in the audio clips, he can identify the voices. He added that one of the voices is his sister’s and the other is someone with whom he worked extensively. He asserted that an inquiry will be conducted and the truth will emerge.

Meanwhile, Supriya Sule on Wednesday categorically denied the charges, labeling them as baseless. Speaking to the media, the NCP (SP) leader said that she has filed a defamation case, and a criminal case. She said that she is ready to answer BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi’s five questions anywhere, anytime, on any platform. These allegations are entirely false and fabricated, she concluded. Responding to Ajit Pawar’s remarks, Supriya Sule dismissed his claims, saying that he is Ajit Pawar; and that he can say anything. 

After the BJP released the audio clips on Tuesday, Supriya Sule took to x, and responded to allegations of her involvement in the bitcoin scam linked to the Maharashtra assembly elections. The Baramati MP said that she denies all the allegations levelled against her by Sudhanshu Trivedi. Mentioning that all this is conjecture and innuendo, she added that she is ready for a debate with any representative of the bjp at a time and date of their choice, in a public forum. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed that the development has unmasked the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and sought replies from the Congress and Supriya Sule.

Supriya Sule alleged that these were familiar tactics of spreading false information to manipulate the righteous voters the night before election. Furthermore, she also sent a complaint to the Election Commission of India and Maharashtra cyber crime department against what she called the fake allegations made of bitcoin misappropriation. Her complaint targets Patil and Gaurav Mehta, who was the witness in the 2018 case.

The Baramati MP further said that her lawyers will issue a criminal and civil defamation notice against Sudhanshu Trivedi.