The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for the 2024 assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Voters in Maharashtra will cast their ballots on November 20. In Jharkhand, the elections will take place in two phases, with polling on November 13 and again on November 20. Vote counting for both states is set for November 23, as political parties prepare for a competitive electoral season.
Rajiv Kumar has outlined the timeline for the Maharashtra assembly elections, confirming that the Gazette notification will be issued on October 22. Candidates will have until October 29 to file their nominations. The scrutiny of these nominations is scheduled for October 30, while the final date for withdrawing candidatures is set for November 4. This timeline is crucial as candidates and parties prepare for the upcoming polls.
The term of the 288-member Maharashtra assembly will conclude on November 26, while the assembly in Jharkhand will see its term end on January 5 of next year. As both states approach their election dates, the transition of power is set to play a pivotal role in the political landscape.
“There are 9.63 crore eligible voters in Maharashtra while the number of eligible voters in Jharkhand is 2.6 crore,” Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said at a press conference here.
Bye-elections for 47 assembly seats, along with the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, are set to take place on November 13. This electoral event will be closely watched as it could impact the political dynamics in various states ahead of the main assembly polls.
Key Details of Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024
The upcoming Maharashtra assembly election promises to be a significant battle
between two major political coalitions. The Maha Vikas Aghadi, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress, will face off against the ruling Mahayuti Alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction). As both alliances gear up for the election, the contest is expected to shape the future of the state’s political landscape.
In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP emerged victorious with 105 seats, while the Congress secured 44. However, the BJP’s recent performance in the Lok Sabha elections showed a decline, as it won only nine out of 48 seats, a sharp drop from 23 in the previous term. In contrast, the Maha Vikas Aghadi made significant gains, winning 30 seats. This shifting electoral dynamic sets the stage for a competitive assembly election in Maharashtra.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Key Updates
With the term of the Jharkhand assembly set to conclude on January 5, 2025, elections for the 81 constituencies—comprising 44 General, 9 Scheduled Caste, and 28 Scheduled Tribe seats—are anticipated to take place by December 2024. As the political landscape prepares for this crucial electoral period, all eyes will be on the various parties vying for control of the assembly.
On September 24, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar conducted a review of election preparations in Ranchi, emphasizing the need for agencies to take measures to curb the influence of money power in the electoral process. His call for vigilance highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity of the upcoming elections in Jharkhand, as officials work to ensure a fair and transparent voting environment.
In the 2019 Jharkhand elections, voting took place in five phases. As the state prepares for its next electoral battle, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari has expressed strong confidence in a pro-incumbency vote favoring the BJP. He criticized the governance of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and projected optimism for a BJP-led government in Jharkhand. The party’s assertions reflect its strategy as it gears up for the upcoming elections.
