Mumbai, April 19 (UNI) Enthusiastic voters turned out in large numbers across polling booths of Vidharbha region of Maharashtra that went to the hustings in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday.
Five out of 10 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra's Vidharbha region -- Nagpur, Ramtek, Bhandara, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli will decide electoral fate of 97 candidates amid tight security arrangements.
Early voters included Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat who cast his vote in Nagpur where Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is a candidate seeking reelection.
A total of 95.54 lakh registered voters comprising 48.28 lakh males, 47.26 lakh females, and 347 transgender persons are exercising their rights.
Voting started at 7 am and will come to an end at 6 pm, except for naxal-affected Gadchiroli constituency where it will end at 3 pm.
The ECI has set up a total of 10,652 polling stations, equipped with 21,527 ballot units, 13,963 control units, and 14,755 VVPAT machines.

There is a direct fight between Mahayuti and Mahavikas Aghadi everywhere.
Prominent among the contestants are BJP senior leader Gadkari from Nagpur, State cabinet minister Sudhir Mungantiwar from Chandrapur,Sunil Mendhe of BJP from Bandara, Ashok Nete of BJP from Gadchiroli,Pratibha Dhanorkar (Congress) from Chandrapur, Dr Prashant Padole of Congress fron Bandhara , Congress nominee Dr Namdev Kirsan from Gadchiroli-Chimur, Shyamkumar Barwe of Congress,Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s candidate Raju Parwe and Kishor Gajbhiye of VBA from Ramtek.
The returning officers in these districts have appealed to the voters, to exercise their franchise without any fear or favour. Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in the region, particularly in Gadchiroli district to ensure fair and smooth conduct of the elections.
Seven helicopters were sent in Gadchiroli constituency. So far, the area has remained peaceful and no untoward incident was witnessed, police said.
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