The Election Commission of India (ECI) is expected to announce the poll dates for the upcoming Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections today. The official announcement will be made during a press conference at 3:30 pm. With several key festivals like Diwali, Chhath, and Dev Deepawali taking place between late October and early November, polling is likely to commence in mid-November to accommodate voters, particularly those who may be migrating during this festive period.
The elections will also include bypolls for over 45 assembly seats across various states and two Lok Sabha seats in Wayanad and Basirhat. Wayanad’s seat became vacant after Rahul Gandhi’s resignation, while Basirhat’s seat opened due to the death of Trinamool Congress MP Sheikh Nurul Islam.
Maharashtra’s legislative term is set to end on November 26, and Jharkhand’s term concludes on January 5, 2025. The EC is considering reducing the number of polling phases in Jharkhand, similar to previous elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Stay tuned for further updates as the poll dates are officially announced later today.