Voting is underway in Maharashtra and Jharkhand for the high-stakes Assembly elections, which will determine the future of ruling and opposition alliances in both states. While Jharkhand is holding its second and final phase of voting today, Maharashtra is conducting polling in a single phase. Voting began at 7 am in both states and will end at 6 pm in Maharashtra and 5 pm in Jharkhand, with a few booths closing at 4 pm in Jharkhand.
In Maharashtra, 4,136 candidates are contesting across 288 constituencies. The ruling Mahayuti alliance, consisting of BJP (149 seats), the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde (81 seats), and Ajit Pawar’s NCP (59 seats), is facing off against the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes the Congress (101 seats), Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (95 seats), and Sharad Pawar’s NCP (86 seats). Key issues in the state include the Mahayuti’s welfare schemes for women, while the MVA is focusing on social justice and the protection of the Constitution.
In Jharkhand, 528 candidates are contesting across 81 Assembly seats. The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) alliance is seeking to retain power, while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is vying to take control. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who faces corruption allegations from the BJP, is contesting the polls along with his wife, Kalpana Soren. The BJP has accused the JMM-led government of corruption, infiltration from Bangladesh, and mismanagement.
The counting of votes in both states will take place on Saturday. Smaller parties like BSP and AIMIM are also contesting, with 28% more candidates compared to the 2019 polls.
