Election results today: Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and key bypolls in focus

In addition to the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections, the results of 48 Assembly bypolls and two parliamentary seats will also be declared today.

In Short

• Counting of votes in both Maharashtra and Jharkhand to begin at 8 am
• Results expected to be a litmus test for the NDA and INDIA bloc
• Wayanad to be a national focus as Priyanka Gandhi makes electoral debut

The results of the Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, along with bypolls held across 48 assembly constituencies and two parliamentary seats in 13 states, will be announced on Saturday.

The BJP, which has come out strong in the Haryana Assembly elections after a slide in Lok Sabha polls, is hoping to register a decisive victory in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. In Maharashtra, the BJP is in alliance with the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

On the other hand, the Congress and its INDIA bloc allies are hoping to retain Jharkhand and wrest Maharashtra from the Mahayuti alliance.

Saturday would also be the verdict day for Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is making her poll debut from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat.

WHAT’S AT STAKE TODAY

In Maharashtra, the stakes are high for both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The opposition camp featuring Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faction, Sharad Pawar's NCP, and the Congress, is fighting to regain power in the state after its dramatic ouster in 2022.

The 288-member Assembly requires 145 seats for a majority, and exit polls suggested the Mahayuti may have the edge. An average of three exit polls showed the alliance comfortably crossing the halfway mark, with a predicted 158 seats.

As for the seats in focus, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who has held the Baramati Assembly seat since 1999, will be up against NCP (SP) nominee Yugendra Pawar. The Worli seat will witness a high-voltage contest between Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Aaditya Thackeray and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena's Milind Deora.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who has held the Nagpur South West Assembly seat since 2009, is up against Congress candidate Prafulla Gudadhe.

In Jharkhand, the battle lines are drawn between the BJP-led NDA and the INDIA bloc, comprising Hemant Soren's JMM and Congress. For the NDA, a victory would mark a return to power after losing the state in 2019, while the INDIA bloc aims to maintain its stronghold.

Exit polls have largely tipped the scales in favour of the NDA, predicting a clear mandate with 42 – 47 seats, comfortably crossing the halfway mark of 40.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren is facing a direct challenge from BJP's Gamaliel Hembrom, while BJP's state chief, Babulal Marandi, is contesting against Rajdesh Ratan of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha in Dhanwar.

Adding to the anticipation, results will also be declared for 48 Assembly bypolls and two high-stakes parliamentary seats: Nanded in Maharashtra and Wayanad in Kerala.

Wayanad, in particular, promises high drama. Vacated by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who chose to retain Raebareli, the seat now sees his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra making her political debut. The contest has garnered national attention, with its outcome set to impact the Congress's hold on a seat considered its home turf.

Assembly bypolls across nine states, including Uttar Pradesh (9 seats), Rajasthan (7), West Bengal (6), Kerala (2), Madhya Pradesh (2), and Sikkim (2), are equally significant. These contests will not only test regional parties but also offer a glimpse into voter sentiment.

VOTING TIME, SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS

As vote counting will begin at 8 am, stringent measures are in place to ensure transparency and security. In Maharashtra, 288 counting observers will oversee the process, with additional observers designated for the Nanded parliamentary seat.

In Jharkhand, a three-tier security system has been implemented at the strong room in Ranchi. The entire process will be conducted under close surveillance by the media and candidate representatives, supported by enhanced video monitoring.

Items such as mobile phones, weapons, knives, flammable items, and food packets are strictly prohibited inside the counting centre to ensure a smooth operation.