Mumbai, Jan 15 (TIWN) A mini-general election at the grassroots level was completed without major incidents in 14,234 Gram Panchayats across 34 of Maharashtra's 36 districts (except Mumbai and Mumbai Suburban districts), officials said on Friday.

Though the voting percentages were still being tabulated, Maharashtra State Election Commission officials said the response was "overwhelming", especially from women and youth, though district-level tentative figures ranged from 50-60 per cent turnout. 

The results of the elections - in which local issues intertwined with state concerns dominated - will be declared on Monday.  This is the first major grassroots electoral challenge before the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray since it assumed office 15 months ago. 

Candidates from all the major national parties, state parties, regional parties and local parties besides independents were in the fray for the crucial elections, the outcome of which is considered a litmus test for the MVA government's popularity and performance.