Maharashtra Assembly Poll Dates Likely to be Declared by 19-20 Sep

The EC is visiting Mumbai to review the state’s poll preparedness after which the dates are likely to be announced.

Image of Maharashtra map and Shiv Sena symbol (L) and BJP symbol (R) used for representational purposes. 

(Photo: Shruti Mathur / The Quint)

The Election Commission is on a two-day visit to Mumbai where it will interact with various stakeholders in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections to take stock of the state's poll preparations.

On completion of its review, the EC is expected to announce the dates of Assembly polls, reported Hindustan Times, quoting a state official.

“We expect the announcement to be done on 19 or 20 September. We require at least 35 days to complete the election process, including counting of votes. We will have to complete it before Diwali, which begins on 27 October.”

State poll official, as quoted by <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/poll-dates-likely-to-be-out-on-sept-19-or-20/story-SdH5NF4QfGn7WmekP6ayLM.html"><i>Hindustan Times</i></a>

The meetings would be spread over Tuesday and Wednesday, 17 and 18 September, where Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora along with Election Commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra will hold meetings with civil adminstration and police officials besides various parties' leaders.

The poll panel will be back to Delhi on Wednesday evening.

The election panel is also expected to talk about the requirement of additional forces from the Centre.

According to Hindustan Times, the state unit has already raised the need for additional forces from the Centre during elections.

Amidst many rumours on social media of the dates being declared already, Election Commission of India (ECI) spokesperson, clarified to India Today, that sufficient time will be given to the media to visit the commission office where the dates will be announced via a press conference.

The Election Commission always declares the dates of an election in a press conference following which, in that particular jurisdiction, the Model Code of Conduct comes into immediate effect.

(With Inputs from Hindustan Times, PTI and India Today)