55-60% turnout in 46 Assembly constituencies of Marathwada

An estimated 55 to 60% voters today exercised their franchise in 46 Assembly segments spread over eight districts of Marathwada.

Barring a couple of violent incidents in Nanded and Osmanabd, the voting passed out peacefully. No complaints regarding election malpractice were reported from the region.

According to the Returning officer of Aurangabad (Central), the polling percentage in the segment till 3 pm was 43, but the final figure is expected to be 60%.

The other constituencies saw a turnout of about 55 to 60%, official sources said.

Incidents of battery discharge and malfunctioning of EVM buttons were reported from three booths. The EVMs were replaced within five minutes, they said.

In Nanded around 54% voters exercised their democratic right. The highest turnout in the region was in Mukhed (58.16%) and Kinwat (58%). Bhokar, the constituency of chief minister Ashok Chavan, recorded 55% turnout.

In Chikli village of Loha constituency in Nanded, Independent candidate Pratap Patil Chiklikar's supporters thrashed Congress workers, they said. Police force was deployed in the village after the incident.

In Osmanabd district, where the turnout was 65%, two cases of violence were registered with the police.