New Delhi: The Election Commission of India is expected to announce the schedule for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections today. A press conference is scheduled at 3:30 PM, where the EC may also reveal dates for by-elections in three Lok Sabha seats and at least 47 Assembly constituencies.
The Lok Sabha seats in Wayanad (Kerala), Nanded (Maharashtra), and Basirhat (West Bengal) are currently vacant. Wayanad became vacant after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi chose to retain his Rae Bareli seat. Speculation suggests that his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, may contest from Wayanad.
Maharashtra’s 288-member Assembly is set to complete its term on November 26, while Jharkhand’s 81-member Assembly will expire on January 5, 2024. Currently, a BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance governs Maharashtra, while Jharkhand is ruled by the JMM-led coalition, part of the INDIA alliance.
The election schedule was delayed due to festive seasons and heavy rains in Maharashtra.
