ECI announces election calendars for Maharashtra and Jharkhand; both states will vote in November

Maharashtra: Single-phase voting on November 20

Maharashtra will go to polls in a single phase on November 20, with the counting of votes scheduled for November 23. This election will see a high-stakes contest between two major coalitions: Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the Maha Yuti Alliance.

The MVA consists of Udhav ThackerayShiv Sena (UBT), the Congressand the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) under Sharad Pawar. Meanwhile, the Maha Yuti Alliance brings together Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP. This intense battle for control of the 288-seat Maharashtra Assembly follows the end of the current term on November 26.

The model code of conduct came into effect immediately in Maharashtra, guiding political parties on proper campaign practices and ensuring fair elections.

Jharkhand: Two-phase voting on November 13 and 20

In Jharkhand, voting will take place in two phases: the first on November 13 and the second on November 20. The results will be declared on November 23 along with that of Maharashtra. This election focuses on the 81-seat Assembly, with fierce competition expected between the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Alliance of Congress and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which includes the BJP, All Jharkhand Students’ Union (AJSU) and Janata Dal (United).

The current term of the Jharkhand Assembly expires on January 5, 2025. The elections will feature 29,562 polling stations in urban and rural areas to accommodate the state’s 2.6 million registered voters. This diverse electorate includes 66.84 lakh young voters and 11.84 lakh first-time voters, with special schemes for 3.67 lakh people with disabilities.

Pre-election preparations

ICE preparations for the elections began in September, with teams visiting both states to assess preparedness. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu met local officials, district collectors and political representatives to assess logistical arrangements and security measures.

In Maharashtra, the Maha Yuti Alliance and MVA have intensified their efforts to ensure voter support in what is expected to be a dramatic electoral showdown. In Jharkhand, the ruling JMM, which is part of the INDIA bloc, is eyeing another term despite recent controversies surrounding Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who faced legal challenges earlier this year. The JMM-Congress-RJD alliance remains strong as the party is expected to contest all 81 seats in the Assembly.

(With contributions from agencies)