Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 Live: Uddhav Thackeray Casts Ballot, Voter Turnout At 18% As Of 11 AM

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray and his family cast their vote at a polling booth in Bandra West.

Aaditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from Worli, cast his ballot.

As of 11:00 a.m., Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 18.14%, while Jharkhand saw 31.37% turnout in phase two of their elections.

Shiv Sena MP and candidate from Worli Assembly seat, Milind Deora cast his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai.

Maharashtra CM and Shiv Sena candidate Eknath Shinde casts his vote at a polling booth in Thane.

"Every vote you give to Maha Vikas Aghadi will stop the theft of your jobs and projects, will ensure fair price to farmers for their crops and will bring prosperity to your life with 5 guarantees," said Rahul Gandhi in a post on X.

Maharashtra's total electors has reached over 9.70 crore, and among them, approximately 22.2 lakh are first-time voters aged between 18 and 19 years, according to the latest data from the Election Commission of India.

Kalpana Soren, wife of former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren & JMM candidate for Gandey assembly by-election, said, "This is the first time after the formation of Jharkhand that the women in the state have been given their respect that they deserve...Hemant Soren has been working very well as a young Chief Minister. They (BJP) do not want to talk about development, they only want to talk about division. We are definitely going to form our government in the state..."

Maharashtra Deputy CM & BJP candidate from Nagpur South-West Assembly seat, Devendra Fadnavis and family cast their ballot.

"...Mumbai has always been an epicenter of business, entertainment... that glory should come back. Work on infrastructure is being done... it should be done on time. Roads and structure will be developed but along with that there should be green cover, parks for people. I only hope and pray that these things happen as soon as possible," said actor Suniel Shetty after casting his vote.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said, "Everyone should vote, voting is our right in democracy. I appeal to people to vote in large numbers and strengthen democracy," after casting his vote.

NCP candidate from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar Nawab Malik cast his vote in Kurla (West).

As of 09:00 a.m., Gadchiroli saw the highest voter turnout at 12.33%, and Ratnagiri second at 9.30%.

Maharashtra Congress President and INC candidate from Sakoli, Nana Patole cast his vote for at a polling booth in Bhandara.

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal and family cast their vote at Walsingham House School in Mumbai's Malabar Hill.

Music composer and singer Vishal Dadlani said "It's important that you come out and vote. It's important for your city, state, country. If you love your city, state and country, please come and vote. It is ridiculous that one has to say it, everyone should do it anyway as a duty towards their country. I hope people do (vote)," after casting his vote.

A high-stakes legacy battle is unfolding in Thane, where Eknath Shinde will contest from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi seat against Kedar Dighe, the nephew of Shinde’s late mentor and Shiv Sena stalwart, Anand Dighe. Both candidates are vying to inherit Anand Dighe’s influential legacy in this fiercely contested constituency.

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, after casting his ballot in Bandra West, said "... My main issue is education. I would vote for a candidate who talks about development of Maharashtra, and welfare of kids as well. I would ask people not to procrastinate, then you will not have the right to go on social media (write), don't cheat your state Maharashtra, come out for a while."

Son of ex-Maharashtra CM Vilasrao Deshmukh, actors Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh cast their votes in Latur. "I believe both my brothers are going to win," said Riteish, referring to Dhiraj and Amit Deshmukh, who are contesting from Latur.

Mumbai City has witnessed footfall of 6.25% voters, whereas the suburbs have seen a 7.88% of voters turn up as of 09:00 a.m.

As of 09:00 a.m., Maharashtra has reported a 6.61% voter turnout, while Jharkhand's Phase 2 polling has seen a 12.71% voter turnout.

Mahim-candidate and MNS chief Raj Thackeray's son Amit Thackeray said, "Step out in large numbers and vote... I believe (that he is going to win)."

Maharashtra Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, along with his family, cast votes in Chandrapur.

Babulal Marandi, Jharkhand state BJP chief and candidate from Dhanwar, offered prayers at his residence and took the blessings of his mother, Mina Murmu as the voting in state began for the second phase of Assembly elections.

Four-time Chief Minister of Maharashtra Sharad Pawar casts his vote in Baramati.

Maharashtra has experienced years of unnatural coalitions, and the 2024 results are poised to create yet another. Read more about the history of Maha politics in the last decade.

NCP SP chief Sharad Pawar arrives at a polling station in Baramati to cast his vote.

NCP SP candidate from Baramati constituency Yugendra Pawar casts his vote. He is set to go up against uncle Ajit Pawar for the seat.

Actors Farhan Akhtar, Ali Fazal, Sonu Sood and director Kabir Khan have exercised their right to vote in the polls today.

"I have been an icon of the ECI (Election Commission of India) for quite some time now. The message I am giving is to vote. It is our responsibility. I urge everyone to come out and vote," urged former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar after casting his vote.

Zeeshan Siddiqui, contesting for the Vandre East constituency from the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), casts his vote.

The National Stock Exchange and the Bombay Stock Exchange will remain closed on Wednesday on account of voting for the Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024.

NCP (SP)'s Supriya Sule casts her vote at a polling station in Baramati.

Following his vote, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das praised the arrangements at the polling station.

• Increased Monthly Grant: BJP promises to raise the monthly grant under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Scheme to Rs 2,100 per month.

• Current Grant: The scheme, launched in August, currently provides Rs 1,500 per month to economically disadvantaged women aged 21-65.

"The arrangements here are very good, especially for senior citizens, and cleanliness has been well-maintained. I urge everyone to come out and cast their votes," said actor Akshay Kumar.

"I hope people will give me a chance to work for the truth with full accountability and transparency," said Shaina NC after her daughter Shanaya Munot and her show their inked fingers.

BMC Commissioner and District Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani casts his vote.

• Rs 3,000 Monthly Aid for Women: Under the Mahalaxmi Scheme, economically disadvantaged women will receive Rs 3,000 per month.

• Free Bus Travel for Women: All women in Maharashtra will get free travel on state-operated buses.

• Up to Rs 4,000 for Unemployed Youth: The MVA promises monthly assistance for unemployed youth.

BJP MLA from Ghatkopar East, Parag Shah, is the richest candidate in the Maharashtra Assembly 2024 polls. Shah, who is contesting from the Ghatkopar East seat, and his wife have declared combined assets worth Rs 3,382 crore.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is looking to secure a fourth term from the Nagpur South West Assembly seat. He will face Congress' Prafulla Gudadhe, who is known for his grassroots connections in the constituency.

"It is our right in democracy, so it's important that we step outside to vote. I have performed my duties," said actor Rajkummar Rao after voting at a polling booth in Gyan Kendra Secondary School, Mumbai.

"I urge all the voters of the state to participate enthusiastically in this process and add beauty to this festival of democracy," said PM Modi in an X post.

In Baramati, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar will face his nephew Yugendra Pawar, who is the NCP (SP) candidate.

Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP candidate from Baramati Assembly constituency Ajit Pawar has cast his vote in Baramati.

"My appeal to everyone is to come and vote. It is their choice to vote for whoever they want, but they should do it. This is a basic duty of every citizen," said Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan after casting vote in Mumbai.

Mumbai BJP president and Bandra West Assembly candidate, Ashish Shelar, cast his vote at a polling station in St. Stanislaus High School, Bandra.

In the last five years, the state has had three different chief ministers. These include BJP's Devendra Fadavis, Shiv Sena's (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray, and the Shiv Sena's (SHS) Eknath Shinde.

Voting will begin at 07:00 a.m. and continue until 06:00 p.m. Voting will be held across over one lakh polling stations in 52,789 locations. 

Maharashtra is set for a crucial day today as all 288 Assembly constituencies go to the polls in a single phase. The state is witnessing a fierce electoral contest between two major alliances:

• Mahayuti: Led by the ruling Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), along with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party.

• Maha Vikas Aghadi: Comprising the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (Shiv Sena-UBT), Sharad Pawar's NCP, and the Indian National Congress.

Stay tuned for live updates and key developments throughout the day.