The upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Election is generating significant interest as the Election Commission has officially announced the schedule for the polls. Voting is set to take place in a single phase on November 20, with the results being declared just a few days later on November 23. This election is crucial for all political parties as they seek to establish their influence in Maharashtra's vibrant political landscape.
According to the election timetable, the official gazette notification will be released on October 22, marking the start of the election process. Candidates intending to run for office must submit their nominations by October 29.
Following this, there will be a window for candidates to withdraw their nominations until October 30. This structured timeline ensures that all processes are conducted smoothly, allowing for a fair election.
The upcoming election will be conducted across a substantial number of polling stations, with a total of 100,186 set up to facilitate the voting process. Each polling station is expected to handle an average of 962 voters, allowing for efficient management of the electoral process.
Maharashtra boasts a large electorate, with approximately 9.63 crore voters. Among these, there are 4.97 crore male voters and 4.66 crore female voters. Notably, around 1.66 crore youth voters are eligible to participate in this election, reflecting a youthful demographic eager to have their voices heard.
Additionally, the election will witness a significant number of first-time voters, accounting for 20.93 percent of the total electorate. This increase in first-time voters is a positive sign for the democratic process, as it indicates that younger generations are becoming more engaged in political affairs. Their participation could potentially influence the outcomes and shape the future of Maharashtra’s governance.
The last assembly elections held in Maharashtra in 2019 saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerging as the single largest party, winning 105 seats in collaboration with the Shiv Sena, which secured 56 seats.
The BJP maintained its stronghold in regions like Western Maharashtra, Mumbai, and Vidarbha, although it fell short of forming a government independently. This highlights the complexities of Maharashtra’s political dynamics, where coalitions often play a vital role in governance.
On the other hand, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition made a surprising comeback in the last elections. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by veteran politician Sharad Pawar, regained a significant number of seats, winning 54, primarily in Western Maharashtra.
The Congress party also showed a robust performance, securing 44 seats, particularly in Vidarbha and North Maharashtra. Smaller parties and independent candidates managed to capture 29 seats, showcasing the diversity of voter preferences in the state.
As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approached, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, which includes the Congress party, Uddhav Thackeray's faction of the Shiv Sena, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP, gained substantial traction, winning 30 out of the 48 seats in Maharashtra.
This coalition’s success indicates a shift in the political climate of the state, reflecting changing voter sentiments. Conversely, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), comprising the BJP and Eknath Shinde's faction of the Shiv Sena along with Ajit Pawar's NCP, secured only 17 seats, a considerable decline from their 2019 performance.
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