40 Facts About Maharashtra Election 2024

Election Date and Voter Turnout

The 2024 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election was a pivotal event, shaping the state's political future. Here are some key details about the election date and voter turnout.

1. The election was held on November 20, 2024, to elect all 288 members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
2. Results were announced on November 23, 2024, just three days after the voting.
3. Voter turnout was 65.11%, a slight increase from the 61.1% recorded in the 2019 assembly polls.
4. Dindori constituency had the highest voter turnout at 78.05%, while Nashik West saw the lowest at 56.71%.
5. Nashik district recorded a voter turnout of 69.12% across its 15 assembly constituencies.

Election Administration and Counting Process

Ensuring a smooth and transparent election process was a priority. Here’s how the administration handled it.

6. Pune Collector Suhas Diwase assured that the administration was fully prepared for the counting day, with necessary barricading completed at the counting centers.
7. Micro observers and counting supervisors were appointed to ensure transparency and efficiency during the counting process.

Party Performances and Outcomes

The election results revealed significant shifts in the political landscape of Maharashtra. Here’s a breakdown of how major parties performed.

8. The Congress party, contesting 101 seats as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, suffered its worst-ever defeat, winning only 16 seats.
9. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as a major winner, securing a significant number of seats and forming the new government.
10. The Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, led by Uddhav Thackeray, performed well but not as strongly as the BJP, winning fewer seats compared to their previous performance.
11. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Ajit Pawar, managed to retain some seats but saw a decline in their overall performance.
12. The Mahayuti government, an alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP, formed the new government in Maharashtra after the election.

Key Factors Influencing the Election

Several factors played a crucial role in influencing the election outcomes. Here are some notable ones.

13. The Mahayuti government's Ladki Bahin Yojana, which provided financial assistance to women, resonated with voters, especially in rural areas.
14. Polarization in urban areas negatively impacted the MVA alliance, leading to a significant decline in their vote share and seat count.
15. Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan described the party's defeat as "shocking" and attributed it to the MVA's inability to connect with urban voters.
16. Prithviraj Chavan lost his Karad South seat by a margin of 39,355 votes to BJP’s Atul Bhosale, a significant defeat for the Congress party.

Historical Context and Election Commission’s Role

Understanding the historical context and the role of the Election Commission helps in grasping the full picture of the 2024 election.

17. The 1977 Lok Sabha polls saw the Congress party winning only 20 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra, previously considered their lowest ever in the state.
18. The Election Commission of India played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth conduct of the election, including the announcement of the election schedule and the declaration of results.
19. The election schedule was announced on March 16, 2024, with voting taking place in five phases between April 19 and May 20, 2024.
20. Key poll events included the notification date, last date for filing nominations, scrutiny of nominations, and the date of polls, all meticulously planned by the Election Commission.

Voting Phases and Regional Performance

The election was held in multiple phases, with varying performances across different regions.

21. The election was held in five phases: April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20, 2024.
22. Counting of votes took place on June 4, 2024, for the Lok Sabha elections, while the assembly election results were declared on November 23, 2024.
23. The BJP secured a significant seat share in various regions: Western Maharashtra (6 seats), Vidarbha (6 seats), Marathwada (8 seats), Thane+Konkan (5 seats), Mumbai (2 seats), and North Maharashtra (2 seats).
24. The Shiv Sena (UBT) secured seats in Western Maharashtra (4 seats), Vidarbha (4 seats), Marathwada (1 seat), Thane+Konkan (5 seats), Mumbai (2 seats), and North Maharashtra (2 seats).
25. The NCP(SP) secured seats in Western Maharashtra (6 seats), Vidarbha (4 seats), Marathwada (1 seat), Thane+Konkan (5 seats), but did not contest in Mumbai or North Maharashtra.
26. The INC secured seats in Western Maharashtra (6 seats) but did not contest in Vidarbha, Marathwada, Thane+Konkan, Mumbai, or North Maharashtra.

Notable Performances and Statements

Key figures and their statements provide insight into the election dynamics and outcomes.

27. The BJP performed exceptionally well across various regions, securing a majority of seats and forming the new government in Maharashtra.
28. The Shiv Sena (UBT) performed relatively well but faced significant challenges in retaining their previous seat count, largely due to internal conflicts and the rise of the BJP.
29. The NCP saw a decline in their performance, failing to retain their previous seat count and struggling to maintain their influence in state politics.
30. The Congress party suffered its worst-ever defeat in the state assembly polls, winning only 16 seats out of the 101 they contested.
31. Prithviraj Chavan expected to win his Karad South seat by a margin of 5,000 to 6,000 votes but lost by nearly 40,000 votes, reflecting the broader trend of the Congress party’s decline.
32. Ajit Pawar, the leader of the NCP faction, played a crucial role in the election, but his party’s performance was not as strong as expected, leading to a decline in their overall influence.
33. Shrikant Shinde, a Shiv Sena MP, stated that there was no competition among leaders in the Mahayuti alliance to become the Chief Minister, emphasizing the unity and cooperation within the alliance.
34. Nana Patole, the Maharashtra Congress chief, highlighted inflation and unemployment as major issues affecting the elections, attributing the BJP’s loss to these factors.

Voter Turnout by Region and Preparations

Voter turnout varied significantly across different regions, and meticulous preparations were made for the counting process.

35. Voter turnout by region was as follows: Western Maharashtra (66.05%), Vidarbha (66.05%), Marathwada (66.05%), Thane+Konkan (66.05%), Mumbai (66.05%), and North Maharashtra (66.05%).
36. Kolhapur recorded the highest voter turnout in the state with 76.63%.
37. The Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll saw a voter turnout of 67.81%.
38. Pune Collector Suhas Diwase ensured that all necessary preparations were in place for the counting day, including the completion of barricading at the counting centers.
39. Micro observers and counting supervisors were appointed to ensure transparency and efficiency during the counting process.
40. The Election Commission of India played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth conduct of the election, from announcing the election schedule to declaring the results.

Key Takeaways from Maharashtra Election 2024

Maharashtra's 2024 Legislative Assembly election was a game-changer. The BJP emerged victorious, forming the new government, while the Congress faced its worst defeat ever, securing only 16 seats. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP also saw declines, though they retained some influence. Voter turnout hit 65.11%, with Dindori recording the highest at 78.05%. The Mahayuti alliance, including BJP, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP, capitalized on policies like the Ladki Bahin Yojana, resonating especially in rural areas. Urban polarization hurt the MVA alliance. Key figures like Prithviraj Chavan and Ajit Pawar faced setbacks, reflecting broader trends. The Election Commission ensured a smooth process, with meticulous planning and transparency. This election reshaped Maharashtra's political landscape, setting the stage for future governance and highlighting the evolving dynamics of voter preferences.