Maharashtra, Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024: How to Locate Your Nearest Polling Booth – A Step-by-Step Guide

Assembly Elections 2024

The Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand are underway, with polling taking place in different phases. Voters are advised to ensure they carry proper identification and locate their designated polling booth beforehand. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to help voters find their polling station efficiently.

Election Overview

Polling in Maharashtra is being conducted in a single phase for all 288 Assembly constituencies. The political battlefield is primarily between:

Mahayuti Alliance: Comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA): Consisting of Congress, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction.

With 9.7 crore eligible voters, Maharashtra has set up 1,00,186 polling stations at 52,789 locations, including 388 pink booths exclusively managed by women. Over 4,140 candidates are in the fray for these elections.

Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, polling began on November 13 for 43 seats in the first phase. The second phase for the remaining 38 seats concludes on November 20.

Vote Counting Schedule

The counting of votes for both Maharashtra and Jharkhand will occur simultaneously on Saturday, November 23, 2024.

Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Your Polling Booth

Visit the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Voter Services Portal

Go to https://eci.gov.in.

Access the "Know Your Electoral System" Section

Enter your Electoral Photo Identification Card (EPIC) number.

Input Captcha and Search

Type the captcha code displayed on the screen and click the Search button.

View Details

The portal will display the details of your assigned polling booth, including its location and any relevant instructions.

Important Guidelines for Voters

Carry Identification: Ensure you have your Voter ID or an approved government-issued ID, such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, or passport.

Verify Details: Before polling day, confirm your name and information on the voters’ list to avoid discrepancies at the booth.

Polling Booth Timings: Polling stations will generally be open from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, but it’s advisable to verify timings for your constituency.

Political Context

Maharashtra’s elections are closely watched, given its significance as a political and economic powerhouse. The alliances—Mahayuti and MVA—are vying for a decisive mandate amid promises of development and governance reforms.

In Jharkhand, the elections are equally competitive, with issues like tribal welfare, employment, and infrastructure dominating the discourse.

Key Statistics at a Glance

State Seats Polling Locations Eligible Voters

Maharashtra 288 52,789 9.7 crore

Jharkhand 81 To be updated 2.3 crore

Stay Informed: Follow live updates on polling and results for both Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly Elections.

For additional details on polling day arrangements, closed services, and polling-related updates, refer to official government notifications.