Voting ends for Pune graduates and teachers seats; counting on October 27 at Balewadi

Voting in the Pune graduates' and teachers' constituencies was held on Friday. Even before the counting, supporters of candidates in both constituencies are claiming victory. Chandrakant Patil has claimed that the candidates will be elected by a one-sided margin, that is, with more than 50 per cent of the votes. Supporters of the Maha Vikas Aghadi candidates are also claiming they will win. Turnout appeared higher in both constituencies this time, so everyone is watching what the result will be.

Tight police arrangements are in place at the counting centre after the polling. Counting will be held at the Balewadi stadium in Pune on October 27. Turnout was 62.78 per cent for the Pune graduates' constituency and 85.87 per cent for the teachers' constituency. With turnout higher than in the previous election, anticipation over the result has reached a peak. The fate of 47 candidates in the graduates' constituency and 30 in the teachers' constituency is now sealed in the ballot boxes.

Some are also claiming that the higher turnout could produce an upset. But who wins will be clear only after the official results are declared.

In the graduates' constituency, the BJP fielded Dr Smita Jadhav. Harshada Deshmukh-Jadhav was the candidate from the Sharad Pawar faction, while Sunil Modi also entered the contest after rebelling from the Shiv Sena.

In the teachers' constituency, the BJP's Kaustubh Gavde faced a challenge from the Congress's sitting MLA Jayant Asgaonkar. Independent candidate Sachin Sanap had the backing of the Shinde faction. Former MLA Datta Sawant was also in the fray, making the contest closer. From voter registration to the last phase of campaigning, the political parties kept their machinery active.

Kalyan Jadhav, father-in-law of Harshada Jadhav, said, "To get graduates jobs, it is necessary to choose a capable candidate. Sharad Pawar has always given women an opportunity. On October 27, we will choose the candidate with a vision for graduates." He also claimed that Harshada Deshmukh would win on the 27th.

Record turnout was also seen in the teachers' constituency, so everyone is watching who will win here.