Baramati voter turnout at 40.36%; Sharad Pawar fails to cast vote due to ill health

Voter turnout in the Baramati assembly by-election reached 40.36% by 3 pm on Thursday, April 23, according to official data released by the Maharashtra State Election Commission.

Significantly, Sharad Pawar, the founder of the undivided NCP, could not cast his vote due to ill health.

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Baramati’s voter turnout data was officially certified by Assistant Returning Officer Swapnil Rawade. Earlier reports were signed by Returning Officer Uttam Dighe. Authorities continue to monitor polling across booths in the constituency.

Officials expect voter turnout to rise significantly as the evening progresses, with the contest being seen as a politically important test in one of Maharashtra’s most closely watched constituencies, especially since the byelection is widely expected to send Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar to the Legislative Assembly.

The by-election to the Baramati assembly seat in the Pune district was necessitated by the death of late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar in an air crash on January 28. His wife, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Sunetra Pawar, and 22 other candidates are in the fray.

There is no candidate in the fray from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) against Sunetra Pawar, who cast her vote early in the morning on Thursday. Initially, the Congress had fielded Akash More against Sunetra Pawar but withdrew his candidature at the last moment.

Election authorities said polling remained peaceful, with security arrangements tightened across sensitive booths to ensure smooth conduct of the Baramati byelection.

According to official data, out of a total of 3,84,579 registered voters, as many as 1,55,199 people had cast their votes by mid-afternoon.

This includes 1,93,871 male voters, 1,90,684 female voters, as well as 24 third-gender voters on the electoral rolls.

The steady rise in turnout reflects consistent voter participation throughout the day.

In the early hours, only 8.01% turnout was recorded between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM, with 30,798 votes cast, according to official data.

This increased to 20.59% by 11:00 AM with 79,178 voters and further climbed to 31.91% by 1:00 PM, when 1,22,737 people had voted.

Officials said the polling trend shows gradual momentum as the day progresses, with more voters stepping out in the later hours.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said he will not cast his vote for the first time in a Baramati election.

“Since the first election I contested in 1967, I have continuously exercised my right to vote in the Baramati constituency. Now, in 2026, this by-election in the Baramati Assembly constituency is being held against the tragic backdrop of the unfortunate and accidental demise of Maharashtra’s beloved and popular leader, the late Ajit Pawar.

Earlier, Sharad Pawar told media persons, “In keeping with my long-standing tradition, I had decided to come to Baramati to cast my vote in this byelection. Unfortunately, due to a sudden deterioration in my health, I had to be admitted to a hospital in Mumbai. Doctors have prohibited me from travelling outside Mumbai for treatment and mandatory rest. Therefore, it is with a heavy heart and deep regret that I must inform you that, under unavoidable circumstances, I am being deprived of exercising my right to vote. I am certain that the citizens, voters, and workers of Baramati, who have shown me relentless love and trust, will understand my situation”.

“I also explored and inquired about various alternative voting options provided by the Election Commission since I could not be physically present. However, the State Election Officials informed me that those options were not available. Finally, with a very painful and heavy heart, I had to make the decision to stay away from voting,” Sharad Pawar said.