MAHA ELECTIONS AFTER DIWALI

Prajakta Pol

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar announced on Saturday that the Maharashtra Assembly elections will be held before November 26, marking the end of the current Assembly's term. There had been discussions about the possibility of postponing the elections, but the Election Commission has confirmed they will proceed as planned.

In a significant move, candidates with criminal backgrounds will be required to publicly disclose their charges in newspapers to inform voters. Political parties must also explain their choices of candidates with criminal records, detailing why no more suitable candidates were available in their constituencies. If better candidates exist, they must clarify this; if not, they need to state that as well.

During a press conference in Mumbai, Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar indicated that the elections are expected to occur after Diwali. He acknowledged that political parties had requested the Election Commission to consider major festivals, like Diwali, when scheduling. "Political parties have asked us to be mindful of the festive season.

I am confident that Maharashtra will actively participate in this democratic process," he said.