New Delhi, October 15, 2024 — The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially announced the schedule for the much-awaited Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections in 2024. Maharashtra will head to the polls on November 20, while Jharkhand will vote in two phases, on November 13 and November 20. The counting of votes for both states is set for November 23.
At a press conference, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar provided key details on the upcoming elections. Maharashtra, with a 288-member assembly, will complete its current term on November 26, while Jharkhand’s 81-member assembly will see its term end on January 5, 2025.
Election Process and Timeline
In Maharashtra, the Gazette notification for the election will be issued on October 22, with candidates able to file their nominations until October 29. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on October 30, and candidates can withdraw their nominations up until November 4.
Voter Base
Maharashtra, a key battleground state, boasts a significant voter base with 9.63 crore eligible voters. Jharkhand, which will vote in two phases, has 2.6 crore eligible voters.
Political Landscape in Maharashtra
The Maharashtra election is expected to witness a fierce battle between the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (comprising the Shiv Sena-UBT, the NCP-Sharad Pawar faction, and the Congress) and the ruling Mahayuti Alliance (featuring the BJP, Shiv Sena-Eknath Shinde faction, and the NCP-Ajit Pawar faction).
In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP emerged as the largest party with 105 seats, while the Congress secured 44 seats. However, the BJP’s performance has shown a decline in the recent Lok Sabha elections, winning only nine out of Maharashtra’s 48 parliamentary seats, a sharp drop from its previous tally of 23 seats. The Maha Vikas Aghadi put up a strong performance, winning 30 seats in the same elections, signaling a potentially intense contest this time around.
Jharkhand Election Outlook
The two-phase Jharkhand elections will also be closely watched, as the state prepares for a new government amidst significant political realignments.
Bye-elections
In addition to the assembly elections, bye-elections will be held for 47 assembly seats across the country and for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat on November 13, adding further political intrigue to the election season.
As the political battlegrounds in Maharashtra and Jharkhand take shape, all eyes will be on November 23, when the results will be declared, determining the next government in both states.
