olling for Maharashtra Legislative Council’s biennial elections-2026 for Bhandara - Gondia Local Authorities’ constituency were held on Thursday with spontaneous response from the voters. In peaceful process conducted at four stations in Bhandara and Gondia districts, all 457 voters exercised their right to vote, recording a 100 percent turnout. Under the guidance of District Collector and Returning Officer Sawan Kumar, the voting went peaceful between 8 am to 4 pm.

 

According to polling station-wise data, all 166 voters exercised their franchise at Sub-Divisional Officer’s Office, Bhandara, all 61 61 at Sub-Divisional Officer’s Office, Sakoli, all 154 at District Collector’s Office, Gondia and 76 76 voters came to vote at Tehsil Office, Arjuni Morgaon. The total number of voters included 224 male and 233 female voters. After the voting, the ballot boxes have been kept safe in the Wainganga strong room. A special team has been deployed for the security of the strong room and candidates or their authorised representatives will be able to visit the strong room area as per their wish. The counting of votes will be held on June 22 at the Police Multipurpose Hall at 8 am. 

 

 

 

 

The election for Amravati Local Authorities’ constituency, on Thursday, witnessed a voter turnout of 94.68 percent with 427 of the 451 voters exercising their franchise across seven polling centres in the district. Meanwhile, allegations of cross-voting surfaced during the election, as several Congress members reportedly defied the party whip to abstain from voting. Congress corporators allegedly cast their votes despite the orders from Leader of Opposition Vilas Ingole directing members to remain neutral. Similarly, three councillors from Teosa Nagar Panchayat are reported to have voted despite instructions from former minister Adv Yashomati Thakur to abstain. Several Congress voters from other parts of the district were also said to have participated in the election despite the party’s stand. Pravin Pote Patil, BJP candidate, who is seeking a third consecutive term in the Legislative Council, expressed confidence about his prospects.

 

“There was no opposition to challenge me. My style of working and my relationship with the voters across party lines have me confidence,” Pote told mediapersons. Commenting on the Congress decision to remain neutral, he said it was an internal matter of the party but maintained that he enjoyed support across political affiliations. Polling began on a slow note, with turnout reaching only 6.87 percent during the first two hours. No votes were cast initially at the Morshi and Chandur Railway polling centres. However, turnout picked up steadily, touching 45.01 per cent by noon and 87.80 per cent by 2 pm before closing at 94.68 per cent at 4 pm. Four polling centres recorded 100 per cent voting. Dharni registered all 42 eligible voters casting their ballots, while Achalpur recorded 69 out of 69 voters.

 

Chandur Railway and Morshi also achieved complete participation, with all 66 and 81 eligible voters voting respectively. Daryapur recorded 98.33 per cent turnout, with 59 of 60 voters exercising their franchise. One woman voter abstained at Daryapur. Amravati city recorded 88.42 percent turnout, with 84 of the 95 eligible voters casting their votes. Teosa-Bhatkuli registered the lowest turnout at 68.42 percent, with 26 of 38 voters participating. According to sources, 11 Congress corporators from the AMC abstained from voting in accordance with the party directive. In Teosa Nagar Panchayat, 12 of the 15 Congress councillors absented from polling.