Maharashtra Assembly Elections Before Nov 26: EC Gears Up with Paid Holiday and 100% CCTV Coverage!

Mumbai – The Election Commission of India has confirmed that Maharashtra will hold its Assembly elections before November 26, ahead of the expiration of the current Assembly's term. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar announced this during a press conference on Saturday after the commission's review of the state's election preparedness.

The Election Commission's two-day visit to Maharashtra concluded with meetings with national and state political parties, as well as law enforcement officials, to ensure smooth conduct of the elections. "Over the past two days, we have met with all political parties and law enforcement authorities. We have provided detailed instructions for the election preparations," CEC Rajiv Kumar stated.

Key Decisions and Meeting Outcomes

The commission consulted with 11 political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and others. Political leaders advised the commission to consider the festive season—particularly Diwali and Chhath Puja—when scheduling election dates. Several parties also suggested holding voting on weekdays to ensure maximum voter participation.

Concerns about polling booth management were also discussed. Political representatives requested that polling agents be locals, as they would have better knowledge of the voters and the area. There was also a demand to allow mobile phones at polling booths, along with transportation facilities for senior citizens and disabled voters. The commission assured that the arrangements would be made to address these concerns, including efforts to improve accessibility and reduce any inconvenience for voters.

Extensive Election Preparations

Maharashtra has a total of 9.59 crore registered voters, spread across 288 Assembly constituencies. There are 1,00,186 polling booths, of which 42,558 are in urban areas and 57,600 in rural regions. The CEC announced that the Election Commission will ensure 100% CCTV coverage at urban booths and 50% coverage in rural areas.

The commission is also focusing on inclusivity and voter engagement. Special provisions will be made at 350 polling booths, which will be managed by young people, and another 299 booths will be managed by disabled persons. Additionally, 388 booths will be run entirely by women to promote female participation in the election process.

To increase voter turnout, the commission plans to focus on regions with historically low voter participation, such as areas in Colaba, Kalyan, and Kurla. "If places like Vaishno Devi and Bastar can achieve over 75% voter turnout, then why not areas like Colaba and Kurla?" Rajiv Kumar questioned, emphasizing the need to raise voter participation in these urban areas.

Improved Voter Access

The commission has made a concerted effort to ensure that disabled and elderly voters are included and can exercise their right to vote without difficulty. Through the “Saksham” app, these voters can notify polling officials of their intent to vote, allowing for better arrangements and priority access at polling stations.

The Election Commission also addressed the importance of updating voter lists, ensuring that remote and tribal regions of Maharashtra have full voter registration. This effort includes including tribal communities in the state's voter rolls.

Paid Holiday on Election Day

In addition to logistical preparations, the Election Commission announced that Election Day will be declared a paid holiday. This directive applies to all industries and workplaces, ensuring that every voter can participate without fear of losing wages. The CEC noted that industrial and commercial establishments would be informed about the mandate, and strict enforcement will follow.

The Election Commission’s announcement marks a crucial step in Maharashtra’s upcoming Assembly elections. The detailed preparations, focus on accessibility, and measures to increase voter turnout reflect the commission’s commitment to ensuring free, fair, and inclusive elections. The election timeline, set to conclude before November 26, will mark a critical moment in Maharashtra’s political landscape, with all eyes on the final outcome.