Around 12 per cent voters exercised their franchise till noon for the Assembly bypoll in Bhiwandi East constituency in neighbouring Thane.
“Altogether 11.94 per cent polling was recorded till 12,” an election commission official told PTI. The polling has been peaceful so far, he added.
The election is witnessing a triangular contest between Samajwadi Party, Congress and Shiv Sena. The poll has been necessitated as SP leader Abu Asim Azmi, was elected from two seats — Bhiwandi East and Mankhurd (Mumbai Suburban) and vacated the Bhiwandi East seat.
A total of 10 candidates are in fray, which includes Shiv Sena’s Rupesh Mhatre. Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh campaigned for party candidate Farhan Azmi, son of Abu Asim Azmi.
The counting of votes will take place on January 23.
