Maharashtra Assembly Elections: CEC Announces Dates; Polling to be Held on Nov 20, Counting on Nov 23

Mumbai, October 16, 2023: The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Tuesday that the Maharashtra Assembly elections are to be held in a single phase, November 20; while the results for the same will be declared on November 23. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced this on Tuesday where he cited that transparency and efficiency are key for such elections.

Important Dates and Details for Maharashtra Assembly Elections

Total Seats: 288 seats in the Maharashtra Assembly

Polling Date: November 20, 2024

Results Date: November 23, 2024

The term of Maharashtra’s Assembly is to expire on November 26. Presently, the Mahayuti Alliance led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is governing the state. The coalition involves the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena under the leadership of Eknath Shinde, and NCP led by Ajit Pawar. This election is estimated to be a two-way contest between Mahayuti Alliance and the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which is basically an alliance of Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP by Sharad Pawar, and Congress.

Key Alliances and Expected Contest

Mahayuti Alliance: BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), NCP (Ajit Pawar faction)
Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA): Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), Congress

Earlier, the BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena had contested the Maharashtra Assembly elections held in 2019 together. However after the polls, the two parties went separate ways and the rest is history. This time around, the assembly polls in Maharashtra will be closely contested with both the alliances expected to do intense campaigning and put to stake whatever they have.

Jharkhand Assembly Elections to be Held in Two Phases

The ECI also announced the Jharkhand Assembly Election dates that would be held in two phases. Voting in Jharkhand will be conducted on 13th and 20th November and election result would also be declared on November 23, meanwhile the present government in Jharkhand is headed by the alliance of JMM-Congress with Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

Dates for Jharkhand Assembly Elections:

First Phase: November 13, 2024
Second Phase: November 20, 2024
Results Date: November 23, 2024
Total Seats: 81 seats in the Jharkhand Assembly

The term of the Jharkhand Assembly is ending on January 5, 2025, and it will see an election where JMM-Congress alliance will be competing with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that comprises BJP, Janata Dal (United), and All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU).

More By-Elections

Other than the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly Elections, ECI has declared by-election for the constituencies of Wayanad and Channapatna, which will take place on November 13.

Strategic Importance of Upcoming Elections

These Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections are important ones, coming in the wake of the recently concluded Assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP under its tall leaders had an historic third consecutive win in Haryana, while the National Conference-Congress alliance won in Jammu and Kashmir. Regional dynamics are still in a process of evolution, and with this new turn, it will be interesting to see what impact the Maharashtra Assembly elections might have on the state and national politics.

Issues like infrastructure, agriculture, and economic development will be crucial for the Mahayuti ruling party and MVA opposition parties in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections. The electoral battle will test alliances, party leadership, and mark an important event in the coming days.