Polling for the Maharashtra assembly elections began in 8,600 polling booths covering 1,200 zones of the 36 constituencies in Mumbai city and suburban district at 7 am today. Among the early voters was Governor S C Jamir who exercised his franchise at the polling booth in Raj Bhavan.<br/> Out of the 8,600 booths in Mumbai and suburbs, 93 have been identified as vulnerable pockets and 136 are critical booths. Mumbai police have sought help of paramilitary forces, State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) as well as Indian Navy, Coast Guard to ensure free and fair polls. Around 950 mobile patrolling units are active and five Quick Response Teams consisting of 900 personnel are in place to avoid any untoward incident.<br/> Police have rounded up over 7,000 known trouble makers from across the city as a preventive measure. At least one police personnel has been deployed at every booth, with more than one official at critical booths.<br/> A total of 7.58 crore electorate, comprising 3.60 crore females, are eligible to exercise their franchise all over Maharashtra. Among them 80.35 per cent have been issued their photo identification cards. The number of electorates have increased by more than one crore as compared to previous assembly elections. Polling will end across the state at 5 pm, barring the naxal infested areas in Vidarbha, where it will close at 3 pm.<br/><br/> AIR correspondent Alpana Pant Sharma & Vinita report from Mumbai that the polling booth in South Mumbai and we have our reporters in other parts of Mumbai, its suburbs and Thane. The reports that are coming in are people have started queuing up to cast their votes. Among the early voters was Maharashtra’s governor S C Jamir. Let me tell you Vinita that post delimitation, there are 36 constituencies in Mumbai and its suburbs and 24 in Thane. In many of these, triangular contests are taking place and the rebel factor will play a part. Let me also tell you that during the last Lok Sabha election, the Voter turnout in Mumbai was low. This time there have been special campaigns by the Election Commission, political parties and NGOs to educate and motivate voters. Lets see how much of a difference this makes. A Holiday has been declared by the Maharashtra government for polling day. The Labour Commissionerate has established a control room where voters can register complaint. Across Mumbai and its suburbs there are 136 critical booths where special security arrangements have been made.<br/>AIR Correspondent Mahesh reports from Pune that In Pune the polling has began in peaceful manner. Heavy, security arrangements have been made to avoid any untoward incident. After an attack on BJP Shiv- Sena candidate on Sunday, Para- Military forces have been deployed in Vadgaonsheri constituenciey today. The candidate was saved in the attack however; his friend was injured. Voters are coming to exercise their democratic right. However, the turn out will be more as the day progress. Shops and other offices have closed following the declaration of paid holiday by the government. In many voting booths, volunteers from various political parties are helping the voters to find their name in voting list. However, the guidelines of the election commission have been strictly followed. In western Maharashtra, the voters will seal fate of 10 prominent Ministers today. The first assembly election after delimitation might bring some unexpected results.<br/><br/> In Arunachal Pradesh, polling has started for 57th Assembly seats. Elaborate security arrangements have been made for free, fair and peaceful election in the State. More than 7 lakh 30 thousand voters will decide the fate of 154 candidates. For the latest update, we have our Itanagar Correspondent Raj Kumar on line.<br/> Adequate arrangements have been made in Haryana to conduct free and fair polls. Around 64 thousand jawans of various police forces have been deployed to maintain law and order today. Our Correspondent reports that more than one crore 31 lakh voters of state will franchise their votes today.