CEC Rajiv Kumar Drops Hint On Maharashtra Assembly Elections Date, Says…

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Saturday said that the elections to the legislative assembly of Maharashtra would be held before November 26, 2024, the day when the term of the current Vidhan Sabha would end.

While addressing a press conference in Mumbai after reviewing the state’s poll preparedness, Kumar said, “In Maharashtra, there are 288 constituencies of which ST constituencies are 25 and ST constituencies are 29. The term of the Maharashtra legislative assembly is ending on 26 November so elections have to be completed before that.”

He further said that several political parties have requested the announcement of poll dates, keeping in mind festivals like Diwali and Chhath Puja.

“We are here to prepare for the upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra. We met with leaders of national and regional parties, along with various stakeholders, including district magistrates, the Commissioner of Police, and the Director General of Police. Party leaders, including those from BSP, AAP, CPI(M), INC, MNS, SP, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Shiv Sena, asked us to take into account the festivals before announcing the election dates,” news agency ANI quoted CEC as saying.

CEC Raises Concern Over Urban Apathy

Kumar expressed his concern over the “apathy” of urban and young voters in Maharashtra, and said efforts are being made to ensure maximum polling in the coming assembly elections in the state.

Based on the facts and figures of the Lok Sabha polls, Kumar cited the example of Colaba (Mumbai South) and Kalyan (Thane), where low turnout was recorded. The CEC made it clear that daily wage earners and others in the unorganised sector should be informed by the administration that voting day will be a paid holiday for them.

“Our effort will be to ensure that there is maximum enrolment and voting in Maharashtra assembly elections,” Kumar said.

ECI expresses displeasure Over Non-Compliance of directives

The poll body has expressed its displeasure over non-compliance by the Maharashtra government with regard to the transfer of officials who have completed their three-year tenure and continue in the same posts, ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

The ECI has sought an explanation from the state Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to explain the circumstances as to why the compliance reports have not been furnished even after the lapse of the stipulated time limit despite the reminders in the matter.

The ECI was not happy over the state government’s non-compliance with its directives relating to the transfer of officials who have completed their three-year tenure and continue in the same posts.

The poll body has also instructed the state government to ensure minimum amenities such as benches, fans, drinking water and sheds at the polling stations.

Over 9 Crore Voters To Decide Fate

The ECI told that as of September 22, there are 9.59 crore voters comprising 4.95 crore male and 4.64 crore female voters in the state. The number of total polling stations will be 52,789 comprising 39,048 in rural areas and 13,741 in urban areas.

The schedule for elections to constitute the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, the 15th, would be announced in coming weeks.

Maharashtra Polls 2024

Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra legislative assembly are likely to be held mid-November. The Mahayuti, comprising Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, BJP and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, is striving to retain power, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) of Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) and Congress, is eyeing to dislodge it.

The current or 14th term of the Maharashtra assembly would end on November 26, 2024.