Mumbai, Nov 20 (Reporter) Amidst long queues, an average 6.61 percent of the total 9.70 crore voters exercised their democratic rights for the single-phase Maharashtra Assembly polls in the first two hours on Wednesday. According to Election Commission sources, till 9 a,m. an average 6.61 percent of the voters registered their choice across the 288 Assembly constitencies in the western Indian state. The polling, which began at 7 a.m., will continue till 5 p.m. The highest 12.33 percent voting was registered in Gadchiroli district, while the lowest 4.85 per cent was reported from the Dharadhiv district. Voters were seen patiently waiting in long queues since morning at different polling stations. Amongst early voters were MP Supriya Sule (NCP-SP), Amit Thackeray (MNS), Chhagan Bhujbal (NCP-AP), Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), Union minister Murlidhar Mohal, Chabdrashekar Bhavankule (BJP), Ajit Pawar (NCP-AP), his wife MP Sunetra Pawar, Ritesh Deshmukh, his wife Genelia Deshmukh, Sanjay Raut (UBT, Balasaheb Thorat, Dhananjay Munde (NCP) and Vinod Tawade. There are a total of 4,136 candidates in the fray for the 288-strong state assembly. The prominent candidates include Chief Minister Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena), Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (BJP), Ajit Pawar(NCP),, Aditya Thackeray(UBT), Amit Thackeray (MNS), Dhanananay Munde(NCP) Rohit Pawar (NCP-SP),Yugendra Pawar (NCP-SP), Vijay Wadettiwar(Cong), Prithviraj Chavan (Cong) and Dilip Valse Patil (NCP-AP). The ruling Mahayuti - Shiv Sena (Shinde), BJP and the NCP (AP) - is engaged in a fierce contest with the opposition combine Maha Vikas Aghadi in the state known for its thriving commerce and vibrant culture which also includes one of the world's largest entertainment Industries. The Indian National Congress, Shi Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) constitute the MVA Meanwhile, the Election Commission has appealed to the electors to cast their votes as early as possible to avoid rush at polling stations...////...