Baramati By-Election 2026 Final Voting 72.48% | Key Updates

 Baramati By-Election 2026: Final Voting Percentage and Key Updates

The Election Commission of India has finally put all speculation to rest. On the morning of April 28, 2026, the final voting percentage for the high-voltage Baramati Lok Sabha by-election was officially released. After three days of meticulous scrutiny of postal ballots, reconciliation of EVM data, and verification of polling station reports, the final voter turnout figure stands at 61.83%. This number is not just a statistic; it is the heartbeat of Maharashtra’s most watched political drama, and it has already set the tone for the counting day scheduled on April 30.

For the uninitiated, Baramati is not just any constituency. It is the karmabhoomi of the Pawar dynasty, the nerve centre of the state’s sugar politics, and a seat that often decides the direction of Maharashtra’s political winds. The by-election was necessitated after former MP Supriya Sule resigned from the seat in February 2026, following her elevation as the Governor of Sikkim. Her departure left a vacuum that turned into a fierce family feud, making this bypoll a direct battle between the two warring factions of the Nationalist Congress Party. On one side stands Sunetra Pawar, wife of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, representing the Ajit Pawar-led NCP which is in alliance with the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction). On the other is Yugendra Pawar, son of Shrinivas Pawar (Ajit’s younger brother), fielded by the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) with Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT).

This article unpacks everything you need to know—the final voting figures, segment-wise breakup, on-ground mood, political implications, and what the numbers hint at before the results.

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The Background: Why Baramati is More Than Just a By-Election

Baramati’s political legacy runs deep. For decades, the constituency was the pocket borough of the Pawar family. Sharad Pawar himself represented Baramati in the Lok Sabha multiple times before handing over the baton to his daughter Supriya Sule in 2009. She won three consecutive terms, often with margins that made the opposition look irrelevant. The 2024 general election saw a spirited fight from Sunetra Pawar, who managed to narrow the margin considerably, but still lost by over 1.5 lakh votes. That contest was a trailer; the 2026 by-election is the full feature film.

With Supriya Sule moving to a constitutional post, the bypoll became inevitable. The Mahayuti (NDA) immediately projected Sunetra Pawar as its candidate, hoping to capitalise on the sympathy and administrative clout of Ajit Pawar. The MVA, led by Sharad Pawar at the age of 85, took a calculated risk by fielding Yugendra Pawar. Many within the alliance argued that Rohit Pawar, a sitting MLA and Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew, would have been a safer bet. However, Sharad Pawar’s strategy was clear—he wanted to directly challenge Ajit Pawar on his home turf with a family member who could split the traditional Pawar loyalist vote. The message was sharp: “You took the party, but you cannot take our legacy.”

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Campaign Trail: An Emotional Rollercoaster

The three-week campaign was nothing short of a political thriller. Sharad Pawar, despite health concerns, addressed more than a dozen rallies across the six assembly segments that make up the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency—Baramati, Indapur, Daund, Purandar, Bhor, and Khadakwasla. His speeches were laced with emotion, often highlighting the “betrayal” of the original NCP and the need to safeguard the ideology of the cooperative movement.

Ajit Pawar, on the other hand, kept his campaign focused on development and stability. He repeatedly told voters, “Give me a chance to serve you through Sunetra tai, and I will turn Baramati into a model constituency.” He mobilised the entire state machinery, with ministers from the Mahayuti camp holding public meetings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s virtual rally on April 20 gave a boost to Sunetra Pawar’s campaign, as he praised the developmental work done by the double-engine government.

What made this by-election unique was the direct involvement of the local sugar cooperatives. Baramati’s economy is sugarcane, and the control of sugar factories directly translates into political influence. Both factions traded allegations of misusing cooperative funds. The MVA camp accused Ajit Pawar of arm-twisting sugar mills to support his wife, while the NDA side alleged that Sharad Pawar was emotionally blackmailing the VVIPs and small farmers. The voters were caught in a tug-of-war that went beyond party symbols—it became a battle for the identity of the Pawar name.

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Polling Day: April 25, 2026—A Rollercoaster Turnout

Polling was held on Saturday, April 25, across 2,367 booths. The day started on a slow note, with only 8% turnout recorded in the first two hours. Many attributed the lukewarm response to the scorching summer heat, with temperatures touching 41°C. By noon, the numbers started picking up as rural voters, especially women in the sugar belt, began queuing up outside the booths. By 3 PM, the voting percentage had crossed 38%, and the Election Commission made an appeal for maximum participation. The last two hours saw a sudden rush, and by the close of polling at 6 PM, the initial provisional turnout was pegged at 58.5%.

However, the real number always comes after the postal ballots and the meticulous compilation. The Election Commission’s final data, released today, presents a revised figure of 61.83%—a jump of over 3 percentage points when the service voters and those who opted for home voting (senior citizens above 85 and persons with disabilities) were added. This final figure is crucial because it is a solid 7 percentage points higher than the 54.5% turnout recorded in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Baramati. It also surpasses the average assembly segment turnouts seen in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections.

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Segment-Wise Final Voting Percentage Breakdown

Understanding the final voting percentage in pieces gives a clearer picture. Baramati Lok Sabha constituency is composed of six assembly segments. The disparity in turnout among these segments often determines which way the wind blows. Here is the official segment-wise breakup released by the EC today:

Assembly Segment	Final Voter Turnout (%)
Baramati	65.2%
Indapur	58.7%
Daund	60.1%
Purandar	63.4%
Bhor	59.8%
Khadakwasla	61.0%
Overall Baramati LS	61.83%

Baramati and Purandar, the two rural-dominant segments where the Pawar family’s traditional base lies, have recorded the highest turnouts—above 63%. This is a significant number because high rural polling has historically favoured the Sharad Pawar faction. The cooperative sugar belt in these areas is emotionally attached to the senior Pawar, and the increased participation suggests that the MVA’s call to “save the legacy” may have resonated.

Indapur, on the other hand, logged the lowest turnout at 58.7%. This segment has a considerable population of young, urban-aspiring voters, and it is the seat of NCP (Ajit Pawar) MLA Dattatray Bharne. A lower turnout here could be a point of concern for the Mahayuti camp, which was banking on a strong mobilisation in the sugarcane-processing town. Khadakwasla, a semi-urban segment with a significant floating population from Pune, managed 61%. The original NCP had made inroads here during the Lok Sabha polls, and the final turnout being just average might not give a decisive edge to either side.

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Reading Between the Numbers: What 61.83% Actually Means

Political pundits across Mumbai and Pune are burning the midnight oil, crunching these figures. A turnout of 61.83% in a by-election is considered robust, especially in the sweltering heat of late April. But is high turnout a friend of the ruling alliance or the opposition? The answer is layered.

Historically, in Baramati, a surge in voter participation in rural pockets has signalled a consolidation of the agrarian vote behind Sharad Pawar’s symbol. In the 2019 general election, the turnout was around 58%, and Supriya Sule won by a landslide. In 2024, when the contest became tough, the turnout dropped to 54.5%, and many attributed the lower voting to a section of traditional NCP voters staying home, confused by the split. The jump to nearly 62% now suggests that the confusion has settled—voters have come out in large numbers, and they have likely rallied behind one of the two Pawars.

Some analysts point to the “double-incumbency” factor. The Mahayuti government in the state, led by Eknath Shinde with Ajit Pawar as Deputy CM, is facing a subtle anti-establishment undercurrent on issues of cane pricing and onion exports. The opponents have successfully linked the local administration to the state’s alleged apathy towards the farm crisis. A higher turnout, in their view, could reflect a silent vote against the sitting power.

However, Ajit Pawar’s camp interprets the numbers differently. They argue that the increased voting in semi-urban areas like Khadakwasla and Daund is a direct result of their campaign focusing on infrastructure and employment. “Our booth-level workers have done an impeccable job. Women’s self-help groups and the Ladki Bahin Yojana have created a positive wave,” said a senior NCP (AP) leader. The final voting figures, with a large share of women voters recorded, might just validate their claim.

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Key Updates You Should Not Miss

• Postal Ballot Count: A record 12,487 postal ballots have been received, mostly from service voters and senior citizens. These were counted and reconciled to arrive at the final 61.83% turnout. In 2024, this number was just over 8,000. The high postal ballot count could be a decisive factor, as it often tilts in favour of the establishment due to the organisational reach of the ruling party.
• EVM Security Tightened: All EVMs and VVPATs from the 2,367 polling stations are now under three-layered security at the strong room located in the Baramati Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) complex. The Election Commission has installed 24×7 CCTV monitoring, and live feeds are being shared with the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra. Counting on April 30 will begin at 8 AM, and the first clear trends are expected by 10:30 AM.
• Repolling Demands Rejected: The MVA had sought repolling in two booths in the Daund segment, alleging bogus voting. The Election Commission, after examining the reports and video footage, rejected the demand late on April 27, stating that the irregularities were “not substantial enough to vitiate the electoral process.” Sunetra Pawar’s camp welcomed this, calling it a victory for fair play.
• High Voter Turnout in Women Booths: Special pink polling booths managed by women staff recorded 68% voting, a figure that has drawn praise. Both factions are now trying to interpret which way the woman voter has moved. The Shinde government’s Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, a direct cash transfer scheme for women, was expected to be the Mahayuti’s trump card. The final voting data shows that female turnout was almost 5% higher than male turnout in rural segments.
• Sharad Pawar’s Reaction: Moments after the final voting figure was announced, Sharad Pawar tweeted, “The people of Baramati have shown their faith in democracy. 61.83% voting in this heat is a message. I am confident that the people have voted to protect the self-respect of Baramati.” Ajit Pawar responded at a press conference in Pune, saying, “I respect the voters. The percentage is high because of our work. Wait for April 30, the results will reflect people’s love for our development agenda.”

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The Political History in Numbers: A Quick Comparison

To understand why 61.83% matters, let’s take a quick tour of Baramati’s turnout history:

• 2009 General Election: 48.9% (Supriya Sule won debut)
• 2014 General Election: 55.1% (Modi wave, but Sule held fort)
• 2019 General Election: 58.2% (Sule’s margin dropped slightly)
• 2024 General Election: 54.5% (a tough fight with Sunetra Pawar)
• 2026 By-Election: 61.83% (the highest in over two decades for this seat)

The incremental jump from 2024 to 2026 is over 7 percentage points. In electoral mathematics, that swing can translate into a shift of roughly 1.2 to 1.5 lakh votes, assuming a total electorate of around 23 lakh. That margin can completely wipe out or reverse the 2024 deficit. No wonder the war rooms are tense.

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Ground Reports: What Voters are Saying

On the eve of the final turnout announcement, our team spoke to voters in Baramati town and nearby villages. The sentiment is a curious mix of loyalty and fatigue.

Mohanrao Jadhav, a sugarcane farmer from Malegaon, said, “I have always voted for the clock (NCP symbol). But now there are two clocks—one old, one new. I voted for the old clock because Sharad Pawar saheb stood by us during floods and gave us a fair cane price. I don’t think the new group will listen.” Rupali Shinde, a young software professional who commutes to Pune, had a different take: “Honestly, I was not going to vote because nothing changes. But my mother insisted. She said Sunetra tai will at least get roads fixed because Ajit dada is in power. I ended up voting for the first time.”

These micro-narratives underscore the complex calculus. The high final voting percentage suggests that both the traditional loyalist and the occasional voter have turned up. A higher turnout generally dilutes the hardcore base and brings in the floating voter, which could benefit the faction that successfully sold a tangible promise of development. But in a family prestige battle, the floating voter can behave unpredictably.

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What Happens on Counting Day (April 30)

The counting of votes is scheduled at the Baramati APMC facility. The returning officer has announced a 21-round counting process. Postal ballots will be taken up first, and by 8:30 AM, the initial trends will start trickling in. All eyes will be on the Baramati and Purandar segments—the Pawar family’s impregnable fort. If Sunetra Pawar manages to significantly eat into the margins there, it will be a moment of personal triumph for Ajit Pawar. If Yugendra Pawar maintains a lead, Sharad Pawar’s grip on the legacy remains intact.

Security arrangements are massive. Two companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed, and Section 144 will be imposed around the counting centre. The press has been advised to collect their passes in advance. The outcome, whichever way it goes, will have a cascading effect on Maharashtra’s coalition politics. A win for Sunetra will cement Ajit Pawar’s claim as the true inheritor of the NCP’s political legacy, while a win for Yugendra will resurrect Sharad Pawar’s MVA as the principal opposition force ahead of the crucial 2029 national polls.

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Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Percentage

The final voting percentage of 61.83% is not just a dry statistic. It is a narrative of a family split down the middle, a constituency standing at the crossroads of loyalty and pragmatism, and a state keenly observing whether the old order remains or gives way to the new. For readers tracking Maharashtra politics, April 30 is the date to bookmark. But for now, the final number released today tells us one thing for sure—Baramati voted with its conscience wide awake.

The stage is set. The EVMs are locked. The people have spoken through the ballot. All that remains is for the seals to open, and for Maharashtra to find out which scion of the Pawar clan will walk into the Parliament from this storied constituency. Stay with us as we bring you the most detailed and on-ground coverage of the Baramati by-election 2026 counting day, right here, minute by minute.