Maharashtra Prepares for 2024 Assembly Elections: Over 9.7 Crore Voters Set to Cast Their Ballots

Mumbai, November 19, 2024: Maharashtra is all set for the much-awaited Assembly Elections, which will take place tomorrow, November 20, 2024. Polling will begin at 7:00 AM and end at 6:00 PM, with all voters in line allowed to cast their ballots. The Election Commission has made extensive preparations, deploying more than 2.21 lakh ballot units across 1,00,186 polling stations to ensure a smooth process.

A total of 9.7 crore voters are expected to cast their votes, including 5.22 crore men, 4.69 crore women, and 6,101 third-gender voters. Pune district has the highest voter turnout, while areas like Ratnagiri, Nandurbar, Gondia, Bhandara, and Sindhudurg feature a higher number of female voters than male voters.

With 4,136 candidates in the fray, including 3,771 men, 363 women, and 2 others, Maharashtra’s elections will be keenly contested. Every polling station is equipped with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems to ensure transparency.

In an effort to promote gender equality, the Election Commission has set up 426 all-women polling stations, with districts like Nashik, Jalgaon, and Gondia leading in this initiative.

Special provisions have been made for voters with disabilities and senior citizens. The Saksham App, available on Android and iOS, will provide services like wheelchair assistance and help users navigate polling centers more easily.

Pune has the most polling stations, with 8,462, followed by Mumbai Suburban (7,579) and Thane (6,955).Tribal and hilly areas such as Gadchiroli and Gondia have seen an increase in polling booths to improve accessibility for remote voters.

To vote, citizens must present their Election Photo ID or other recognized documents such as Aadhaar, PAN card, driving license, or passport.

For any election-related queries, voters can call the toll-free helpline 1950 or visit the Commission’s website and mobile apps to find polling stations and verify their enrollment.

As Maharashtra heads to the polls tomorrow, voters are encouraged to participate actively in this democratic process, reinforcing the state's democratic values.