Mumbai, Feb. 8 -- Elections to 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis in Maharashtra on Saturday recorded a voter turnout of around 67%. The polling percentage was 52.02 till 3.30 pm, an official said. It was around 67 per cent when the voting ended at 5.30 pm, he said, adding that the exact percentage will be announced on Sunday. Seen as the first major electoral test since deputy CM Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash on January 28. The polls were closely watched for signals on the future direction and unity of the Nationalist Congress Party, whose factions contested in an alliance in their western Maharashtra strongholds. Votes will be counted on February 9, after which the model code of conduct will be lifted. Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar was among the early voters. htc...