The Election Commission of India has officially announced the schedule for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024. Voting will be conducted in a single phase on November 20, with the results set to be declared on November 23. Here are the important dates to note:
Key Election Dates:
- Gazette Notification: October 22 (Tuesday)
- Last Date for Nominations: October 29 (Tuesday)
- Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidatures: October 30 (Wednesday)
- Polling Day: November 20 (Wednesday)
- Counting of Votes: November 23 (Saturday)
Election Highlights:
- Single-phase polling: Maharashtra will vote in one phase, covering all constituencies across the state on November 20.
- Counting and results: Vote counting will begin on November 23, with the final results expected the same day.
Background:
In the 2019 Assembly election, the BJP, in alliance with the then-undivided Shiv Sena, emerged as the single largest party, securing 105 seats. However, despite its stronghold in Western Maharashtra, Mumbai, and Vidarbha, the BJP could not form a majority government on its own. The Shiv Sena, as its partner, won 56 seats, primarily in Mumbai, the Konkan region, and parts of Marathwada.
On the other hand, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), under the leadership of Sharad Pawar, made a significant comeback in 2019, winning 54 seats, mainly in Western Maharashtra. Congress won 44 seats, performing well in Vidarbha and North Maharashtra. A total of 29 seats were won by smaller parties and independent candidates.
Impact of 2024 Lok Sabha Elections:
Earlier in 2024, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which consists of Congress, the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar’s NCP, emerged victorious in the state, winning 30 out of the 48 Lok Sabha seats. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), comprising BJP, the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, saw a decline in its performance, winning only 17 seats compared to their previous tally.
This Assembly election will be a crucial test for both the MVA and the NDA as they vie for control of one of India’s most politically significant states.
