The Election Commission is all set to reveal the poll dates for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections today. The official announcement will be made during a press conference at 3:30 PM.
Considering the festive season, including Diwali (October 29 – November 3), Chhath, and Dev Deepawali, the Election Commission is expected to schedule the voting in the second week of November. This will allow voters who travel during the holidays to return in time to cast their votes.
Stay tuned for the latest updates as the Election Commission discloses the full election schedule later today.
12:59 PM (IST) – JMM Raises Concerns Over EC’s Independence
Ahead of the Election Commission’s announcement of the Jharkhand assembly elections, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has questioned the EC’s independence. JMM leader Manoj Pandey claimed that BJP leaders were privy to election details ahead of time, suggesting undue influence on the commission. Pandey stated, “The BJP seems to have inside information about today’s announcement, raising serious concerns about the Election Commission’s impartiality.”
12:54 PM (IST) – Chief Election Commissioner Defends EVMs as ‘100% Foolproof’
As opposition parties raise doubts over the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar strongly defended their reliability. “The public has already answered these questions by actively participating in elections. EVMs are 100% foolproof,” Kumar said in response to accusations of potential tampering. Congress leader Rashid Alvi had previously voiced concerns about EVM manipulation.
12:36 PM (IST) – MahaYuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi Gear Up for Election Battle
With the Maharashtra assembly elections approaching, the two major alliances, MahaYuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi, have declared their readiness for the electoral contest. MahaYuti, composed of BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), is focused on its development achievements, while Maha Vikas Aghadi, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress, aims to leverage the anti-incumbency sentiment.
12:19 PM (IST) – Jharkhand to Hold Elections for 81 Assembly Seats
Jharkhand is gearing up for elections to its 81-member legislative assembly by December 2024. The current term expires on January 5, 2025. In the last assembly elections in 2019, Jharkhand saw five polling phases, whereas Maharashtra conducted elections in a single phase.
12:17 PM (IST) – EC May Also Announce Bypolls for Lok Sabha and Assembly Seats
In addition to the assembly elections, the Election Commission may also announce bypolls for three vacant Lok Sabha seats and 47 assembly seats across various states. The vacant Lok Sabha seats include Wayanad in Kerala, Nanded in Maharashtra, and Basirhat in West Bengal.
12:08 PM (IST) – Congress Leader Demands Paper Ballots Instead of EVMs
Congress leader Rashid Alvi has called for the use of paper ballots instead of EVMs for the upcoming Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections. Alvi raised concerns over the potential for EVM tampering, citing Israel’s ability to manipulate technology in past conflicts. He also expressed concerns about the close relationship between the BJP and Israel, suggesting the possibility of EVM interference.
12:05 PM (IST) – EC to Announce Maharashtra and Jharkhand Election Dates Today
The Election Commission is expected to announce the full schedule for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections today. Maharashtra’s assembly term ends on November 26, while Jharkhand’s term expires on January 5, 2025. The EC may reduce the number of polling phases in Jharkhand, following the pattern seen in Jammu and Kashmir’s recent elections.
Stay with us for continuous live updates as we bring you the latest on the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections.
