New Delhi: The Election Commission of India is anticipated to announce the dates for the upcoming Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections today. Alongside these elections, by-elections for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, as well as the Chelakkara and Palakkad Assembly constituencies, are expected to take place simultaneously. Speculation suggests that Maharashtra will head to the polls on November 15, 2024.
In addition to these major elections, by-elections are scheduled for over 45 Assembly constituencies and two Lok Sabha constituencies—Wayanad in Kerala and Basirhat in West Bengal. The Election Commission is likely to consider the Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals while determining the election dates. This is particularly significant for Bihari voters working in Maharashtra, who typically return home after these celebrations in the second week of November.
The term of the current 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly is set to expire on November 26, necessitating the completion of the elections before this date. Meanwhile, the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly will see its term end on January 5, 2025. In the last elections held in 2019, Jharkhand voted in five phases, whereas Maharashtra completed its election in a single phase. This year’s announcement will take into account key logistical and regional factors in scheduling.
The upcoming election announcements are expected to set the stage for intense political campaigns in both Maharashtra and Jharkhand. With crucial by-elections for constituencies like Wayanad and Basirhat also in the mix, the political landscape in these states will see significant shifts. Parties are likely to align their strategies around key regional and national issues, with voter turnout anticipated to be influenced by the festive season. As the Election Commission prepares to finalize the schedule, political observers and voters alike are keenly awaiting the formal declaration, which will kick-start the democratic process in these regions.
