Polling concludes peacefully in assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand,Counting of votes on 23rd November

  All 288 ACs in Maharashtra vote in single phase with a turnout of 58.22% as of 5 PM Metropolitan voters fail again; LWE affected districts...

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All 288 ACs in Maharashtra vote in single phase with a turnout of 58.22% as of 5 PM

Metropolitan voters fail again; LWE affected districts assert franchise

Jharkhand votes for 38 ACs in Phase 2, posting a record turnout of 67.59 %, surpassing 67.04% voting in 2019 at 5pm itself

Turnout figures will be further updated at ~11:45pm

New Delhi.

Asal baat News.

Jharkhand recorded 67.59% voting till 5 pm, surpassing 67.04% voting in these ACs in 2019 Assembly Elections. On the other hand, Maharashtra recorded 58.22 % polling as of 5 PM. Despite a range of measures by the Commission for ease of voting, and motivational campaigns, urban voters in the state continued their dismal record of low participation in cities like Mumbai, Pune and Thane. Simultaneous polling for all 288 ACs in Maharashtra in a single phase and 38 Acs of Jharkhand in phase-2 concluded peacefully today.

Voting commenced at 7 AM today and was peaceful and orderly. In both states, voters were still in the queue when reports last came in. Bye-polls in 15 ACs and 1 PC in 15 states were also held today. With this, elections have concluded for Jharkhand and Maharashtra legislative assemblies and bye-polls in 48 ACs and 2 parliamentary constituencies of 15 states across the two phases.

CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu had been keeping a close watch on every aspect of the poll process including measures to enhance poll participation. In Uttar Pradesh, taking cognisance of complaints regarding arbitrary checking and prevention of voters from voting in certain ACs, the Commission, after a thorough enquiry ordered the suspension of police personnel in Moradabad, Kanpur and Muzaffarnagar for violating the norms and guidelines regarding checking of voters. CEC Rajiv Kumar strictly directed all concerned DEOs/SPs and 13 central observers to ensure a free, fair and impartial election process without any bias against any community.  

Special emphasis was placed on combating urban apathy owing to the trend of low voter turnout witnessed in urban centres in Maharashtra in past state and parliamentary elections. More than 1185 polling stations were set up in high rise buildings/societies and as per directions from CEC Rajiv Kumar all basic facilities were provided at polling stations including benches for voters in queue, volunteers and wheelchairs. Various awareness and mass mobilisation campaigns were organized ahead of the polls involving film celebrities, ECI state and national icons, to nudge urban and young voters.

Voting in rural and urban areas of Maharashtra

Polling progressed in an orderly manner in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas of both states including Garhchiroli in Maharashtra and Giridih in Jharkhand. Long queues of voters comprising people from different sections of society including first time voters, elderly voters, tribal voters, PwD voters, women voters some bearing children in their arms, voters identifying as third gender, entire families of voters and celebrity voters characterised the atmosphere at polling stations.  Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) including toilets, ramps, shed, drinking water ensured that voters could vote comfortably without hindrance.

Security personnel assisting Divyang voters in Gadchiroli

Voters in Jharkhand

In Mumbai, celebrities spurred on voters to show up at the polling booths and fulfil their responsibilities. Cricketer and ECI National Icon Sachin Tendulkar voted along with his family and reiterated his call to others to come out and vote. Elderly voters were greeted with a certificate and plant in certain polling stations in Mumbai. A total of 4136 candidates are contesting for the 288 assembly seats amidst an electorate of over 9.7 crores.