Maharashtra goes to polls on November 20 with the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance eyeing to retain power and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) combine hoping for a strong comeback. Voting in all 288 constituencies will begin at 7am and conclude at 6pm.
The Mahayuti - comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (CM Eknath Shinde faction), and the Nationalist Congress Party led by deputy CM Ajit Pawar - is banking on its popular schemes like Ladki Behna Yojana to retain power.
While the BJP is contesting the elections in 149 seats, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) is in the fray in 81 seats and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. On the other hand, the Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95 and NCP (SP) has put up 86 candidates.
Ahead of the polls, the state government has released a set of guidelines on the services and institutions that will remain operational and the ones that will be affected. Here's a detailed list of the same:
Services/Institutions that will be open-
1. Hospitals, other healthcare services
There is no restriction on the operations hospitals, pharmacies and other emergency medical services on November 20. Ambulance services will also be operational on the polling day.
2. ATMs, online banking facilities
ATMs, online banking as well as Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platforms will remain functional across Maharashtra to ensure customers do not face any hurdle with financial transaction.
3. Public transport
Public transport will be completely operational as Maharashtra votes tomorrow. Both Metro as well as BEST bus services will remain operational throughout the day to ensure voters face no hurdles in commuting the polling stations.
Moreover, Central Railways has introduced special suburban train services for election officials, staff as well as the public. These additional services will run on the nights of November 19-20 and November 20-21 on major suburban routes — the Main Line (CSMT-Kalyan) and the Harbour Line (CSMT-Panvel).
Services/Institutions that will remain closed-
1. Stock market
The stock markets will observe trading holiday on November 20 due to assembly elections in Maharashtra. National Stock Exchange (NSE) in its notification dated November 8, said "the Exchange hereby notifies Wednesday, November 20, 2024 as a trading holiday on account of assembly elections in Maharashtra."
2. Banks
November 20 will be bank holiday across Maharashtra. Hence, there will be no physical services at public/private banks tomorrow owing to the assembly elections.
3. Offices
All government offices will remain closed across Maharashtra tomorrow. To ensure high voter turnout, private office employees have been granted paid leave. Those in emergency services will receive a four-hour window to cast their votes.
4. Educational institutions
Schools, colleges, universities and all other educational institutions will be shut across Maharashtra tomorrow. This is to ensure all those eligible to take part in the festival of democracy can cast their votes.
5. Liquor shops
Dry day will be observed across Maharashtra as per election day norms. The measure is usually in place to ensure voters cast their ballots without the influence of alcohol.
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