The Election Commission has announced the schedule for the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, with voting dates set for November 20 in Maharashtra and November 13 and 20 in Jharkhand. Counting of votes for both states will take place on November 23.
Jharkhand Election Details
Jharkhand will conduct its assembly elections in two phases, with voting on November 13 and November 20. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar stated that there are approximately 2.60 crore eligible voters in the state, comprising 1.31 crore male and 1.29 crore female voters. Among them, 11.84 lakh are first-time voters, and 66.84 lakh are classified as young voters.
The Gazette notification for the two phases will be issued on October 18 and 22, respectively. Key dates for the election process include:
- Nominations: October 25 and 29
- Scrutiny of Nominations: October 28 and 30
- Withdrawal of Candidatures: October 30 and November 1
Keshav Mahto Kamlesh, the Jharkhand Congress president, expressed support for the announced dates and stated, “We are fully prepared for the elections… People of Jharkhand have made up their minds and they will once again choose the alliance government here.”
Maharashtra Election Details
In Maharashtra, the elections will occur in a single phase on November 20. The Gazette notification will be issued on October 22, with the following key dates:
- Nominations: October 29
- Scrutiny of Nominations: October 30
- Withdrawal of Candidatures: November 4
The ruling Mahayuti Alliance, consisting of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, will face off against the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, which includes the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress.
In the recent parliamentary elections, the opposition MVA performed well, securing 30 out of 48 seats, while the BJP’s share fell to 9 seats from 23.
Sanjay Raut, MP from Shiv Sena (UBT), asserted that there will be a change in Maharashtra, urging the Election Commission to prevent the elections from becoming a “money game.” He criticized the current government, claiming it was formed with the support of Prime Minister Modi and the Supreme Court.
NCP working president Praful Patel expressed confidence that voters would prioritize development and good governance. He emphasized the importance of forming the assembly before November 26 and expressed optimism about the NDA’s return to power in Maharashtra.
The CEC also announced bypolls for 48 assembly and two Lok Sabha seats. Bypolls for 47 assembly constituencies and one parliamentary constituency, Wayanad in Kerala, will be held on November 13. Additionally, bypolls for one assembly constituency in Uttarakhand and the Nanded Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra will take place on November 20. Votes for all seats will be counted on November 23.