Back
PremiumMaharashtra Election 2024 LIVE Updates: Soon after the polling for 288 Assembly seats concluded on November 20, exit polls predicted a Mahayuti return in Maharashtra.
A majority of exit polls have predicted a comeback for the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti in Maharashtra elections 2024 with a clean sweep. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) lags behind, unlike its Lok Sabha 2024 peformance.
The majority mark in Maharashtra assembly is 145. The actual results will be out on November 23, though.
The contest in Maharashtra is largely bipolar. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in alliance with Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena under the ruling Mahayuti banner, is contesting against the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), the NCP (Sharad Pawar) and the Congress party.
Voting was held across 1,00,186 polling stations in 52,789 locations on Wednesday. The voting percentage was 65 per cent, highest since 1995.
The 2019 Assembly Elections
The 2019 assembly elections in Maharashtra saw 61.4 per cent voter turnout. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of the BJP and the Shiv Sena (SHS) won a majority. The alliance was dissolved after differences over the government formation, precipitating a political crisis.
In the last five years, the state has had three different chief ministers. These include BJP’s Devendra Fadavis, Shiv Sena’s (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray, and the Shiv Sena’s (SHS) Eknath Shinde.
The two major regional parties – the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) – also saw splits, leading to alliances in power and in the opposition.
High Political Stakes
The political stakes have never been higher in Maharashtra. As key players vie for control in one of the richest states of India, the contest is more than just a battle for power. While it is a test of leadership legacies for many, it is also a battle for political survival for others.
The high-decibel campaign saw several prominent national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Union ministers, travelling across the state to rally support for the Mahayuti and MVA candidates.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, the BJP lost ground in Maharashtra. It won just nine of the 28 seats it contested in 2024, as against 23 of the 25 seats it contested in the 2019 general elections.
The results in Maharashtra will test the BJP's momentum after the Haryana win. The election will also be another test for the INDIA bloc since major players in the opposition alliance are in the fray here.
The election tests the BJP's ability to stay in power with the help of regional parties – the Shiv Sena and NCP factions, in this case. A victory in Maharashtra would certainly bolster the BJP’s reach beyond its traditional strongholds in the north.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: Mumbai police on Thursday, November 21, announced a prohibition on people gathering within a 300-metre radius of the vote-counting centres in the city, reported the news agency PTI.
The city of Mumbai has 36 counting centres.
“No person, other than an official engaged with the election process or public servant engaged in duty, shall loiter or form any assembly within 300 metres radius from any counting centre," reported the news agency, citing a police official.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Ghatkopar West assembly election seat, Ram Kadam, assured a Mahayuti win and said that there is no competition for the party to form the new government with majority votes, reported ANI.
“There is no close competition. Mahayuti will form the government with a clear majority...Maha Vikas Aghadi, actually 'Maha Vasooli Aghadi' tried to misguide people and get their votes. Even the people were angry that MVA considered them foolish...Mahayuti is clear with their CM face. It will form the government," said Ram Kadam, as per the agency report.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: ‘ Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "The voting percentage has increased in Maharashtra. Our experience is that when the voting percentage increases, it benefits us. So we will get the benefit and our government will be formed in Maharashtra. The voting percentage may have increased due to pro-incumbency. It means feeling affection for the government. We have received information that the percentage of women voting for us has increased due to the Ladki Bahin scheme. There is no discussion about the CM post at the moment. After the results are out, we, will sit together and decide..."
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: Lok Sabha MP Pappu Yadav expressed confidence in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, including NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, as Maharashtra awaits assembly election results.
Speaking to ANI, Yadav accused the BJP of creating tensions between the Marathi and Gujarati communities, claiming the exit polls signal the BJP's defeat. He also condemned the BJP for personal attacks on Sharad Pawar's family, particularly targeting his sister, calling it a disgraceful and shameful act for political gain.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: Speaking to ANI, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Raut said, "Exit Polls in this country are a fraud. We saw the '400 paar' data of Exit Polls during Lok Sabha elections, we saw Congress crossing 60 in Haryana Elections. Now, they are giving data for Maharashtra. Don't trust Exit Polls. We are winning 160 seats and Maha Vikas Aghadi is forming the Government."
Sanjay Raut asserted Maha Vikas Aghadi will secure 160 seats and form the government.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC, claimed on Thursday that the Mahayuti alliance will retain power in Maharashtra due to its developmental work, in contrast to the opposition.
She dismissed the exit polls as inaccurate while lashing out at opposition MVA leaders. UBT leader Sanjay Raut had recently commented that the exit polls for Maharashtra were "fraud." In agreement with Raut's statement, Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC said, "Sanjay Raut is right in saying that exit polls are not accurate, and based on the exit polls that have given numbers to MVA, they will not even be half of them."
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: Maharashtra AICC in-charge Ramesh Chennithala dismissed exit polls predicting a BJP-led alliance win in the state assembly elections, asserting that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is set for a comfortable majority.
"Exit polls do not reflect the sentiments of the people," he said, citing past inaccuracies such as overestimating the NDA’s victory in the Lok Sabha elections and predicting a Congress win in Haryana. Confident in the MVA’s prospects, Chennithala stated, "We will win Maharashtra polls with a comfortable majority."
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: NDA leaders expressed confidence in their alliance securing victories in both states. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh dismissed doubts, claiming the NDA will form governments.
Speaking to ANI, Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh said, "We know this since earlier, we know that in both states NDA is going to form the government. The Congress was not ready to accept the Haryana (result) as well in the Lok Sabha polls, they thought they were going to form the government there, but what happened?"
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: Police in Maharashtra's Dhule district seized 10,080 kg of silver from a truck headed towards Nagpur on the day of the state assembly elections. The seizure occurred around 6 am during a routine check under Thalner police station limits.
The silver is believed to be owned by a bank, and the police have informed poll expenditure observers and the Income Tax department. Since October 15, state and central agencies have confiscated assets worth ₹706.98 crore, including illegal cash, liquor, narcotics, and precious metals, as part of enforcement activities.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: In the 2019 assembly elections, the exit polls were largely right in predicting the outcome of the Maharashtra. For Maharashtra, the exit polls had predicted a victory for the BJP-Shiv Sena allies, which actually happened when the results were out. It is another matter that the alliance collapsed soon
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: Exit poll accuracy has been scrutinized in the past. Almost all the exit polls got the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 results wrong. Also, in recent Haryana Assembly Elections, the exit polls had predicted a victory for the Congress party in total contrast with actual results with actual results which saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coming back to power in the state.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: Mumbai, the financial capital, saw an estimated 54 per cent turnout on Wednesday. Mumbai has historically struggled with low voter turnout. In the 2019 assembly elections, for example, Mumbai recorded a voter turnout of 50.67 per cent. The turnout was 51.21 per cent in 2014 assembly polls.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: Exit polls have often been proven wrong. The actual results of both the state elections will, however, be known on November 23 when the counting of votes will take place. The exit polls have predicted a victory for Mahayuti in Maharashtra and neck-and-neck fight in Jharkhand. Will the predictions hold true on November 23?
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE An estimated 65.11 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the Maharashtra assembly elections on November 20, the Election Commission said in updated numbers on Thursday. This is the the highest turnout in the state since 1995 when 71.69 per cent voters cast their franchise.
The turnout on Wednesday was above the 61.39 per cent recorded in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha elections this year, and the 61.4 per cent in the 2019 Assembly elections.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: In a shocking incident in Nagpur, Congress workers reportedly ransacked a car transporting an unused Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to a strong room after polling for the Maharashtra assembly elections concluded.
The attack, which occurred in the Killa area of Central Nagpur constituency on Wednesday, did not damage the EVM, which had been kept on standby and was not used in the election.
Police confirmed that the EVM was being moved from booth number 268 to the designated strong room when the incident occurred.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: The BJP on Tuesday released purported voice notes of Baramati MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole, alleging attempts to use bitcoins to influence the elections. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed the recordings suggested that the MVA was attempting to fund the poll campaign with bitcoins.
Both Sule and Patole strongly denied the allegations, with Sule filing a complaint with the Election Commission and the cybercrime department, while Patole dismissed the voice as not his, asserting that even Prime Minister Modi recognises his voice.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: On Wednesday, the ED and CBI intensified their investigations into Bitcoin Ponzi scam suspect Gaurav Mehta, following the BJP’s release of voice notes accusing Congress and NCP (SP) leaders of attempting to use cryptocurrency to influence the Maharashtra assembly elections.
NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule and Congress leader Nana Patole swiftly dismissed the BJP’s claims, calling the voice notes, released just before polling, as fake.
Mumbai, the financial capital, saw an estimated 54 per cent turnout. In the 2019 polls, Mumbai’s polling figure stood at 50.67 per cent. Several Bollywood celebrities, including actors Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ranbir Kapoor, cast their votes adding a touch of glamour to the festival of democracy.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: The turnout on Wednesday was above the 61.39 per cent recorded in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha elections this year, and the 61.4 per cent in the 2019 Assembly elections.
The voter turnout was 61.5 per cent in 2019 assembly polls, 63.5 per cent in 2014, 59 per cent in 2009 and 63 per cent in 2004 assembly polls in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: Maharashtra's assembly elections saw a 65.11% voter turnout, the highest since 1995. Amid political controversies and claims of corruption, the ruling Mahayuti alliance vies to maintain power as the opposition coalition aims to build on recent successes.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: It’s a case of 'once bitten, twice shy' situation for Axis My India chairman Pradeep Gupta regarding the Maharashtra election exit poll results. Once celebrated for his accurate exit poll predictions, Pradeep Gupta has struggled to get his numbers right in recent elections.
Speaking with News18, Pradeep Gupta said, “I think for Maharashtra, particularly, Axis My India has decided to hold on to it for today.. we need more time to study.. Infact, we are known for post-poll study.. Maharashtra being a single phase poll in 288 assembly constituencies.. we thought let's study further and come with the poll tomorrow."
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: Lokshahi - Rudra exit poll is so far the only exit poll which has predicted a close contest between MVA and Mahayuti in the Maharashtra elections 2024. Lokshahi - Rudra exit poll has predicted 128-142 seats for the Mahayuti and MVA close to getting between 125 and 140 seats. A total of 18 to 23 seats will go to Others.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: P-Marq exit poll results have given a wide margin to both the alliances. According to P-Marq exit poll results, ‘Mahayuti’ is likely to get majority with 137-158 seats in the 288-member Assembly. The ‘Maha Vikas Agadhi’ may secure just 126-146 seats.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: According to ABP News-Matrize, the ruling Mahayuti alliance of Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party and the BJP may make a comeback with 150-170 seats, while the Opposition MVA – the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar-led NCP – may catch up with victory on 110-130 seats in Maharashtra elections. Catch Maharashtra Election LIVE Updates here
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad emphasizes that the country is aligning itself with Prime Minister Modi and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
He criticized the Uddhav Thackeray-led government in Maharashtra and Hemant Soren-led government in Jharkhand, suggesting their governance has failed to impress the people.
Prasad highlights that exit poll predictions showcase the people's response to the opposition's claims.
Prasad underscores the broader trend of support for BJP policies and leadership across the country.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale says, "The way in the last 10 years, development has happened under the leadership of PM Modi, Maharashtra has received at least ₹10 lakh crore from the central govt. Maharashtra has benefitted from the central govt's schemes. In the last 2.5 years, whatever decisions taken by govt of Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, will also benefit Mahayuti."
Seizures of cash, alcohol, and other items during Maharashtra assembly elections amounted to ₹707 crore, according to officials.
Between October 15 and November 20, a total of 10,139 complaints were lodged via the C-Vigil app.
10,134 out of 10,139 complaints have been resolved, according to the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office.
Seized assets include illegal cash, liquor, narcotics, and precious metals, totaling ₹706.98 crore as part of enforcement actions.
"We expect that (election) results will surpass what exit polls have predicted. People of Maharashtra, Jharkhand and UP have opted for PM Modi's target of 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain', and this is what the exit polls have predicted. This is also a setback for the INDI alliance," says BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari on exit poll predictions for Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Spokesperson Anand Dubey on several exit polls predicting an edge for the BJP-led NDA in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, said, "Some exit polls are favouring Maha Vikas Aghadi and others are giving an edge to the Mahayuti. We don't want to raise question on exit polls, but we have also seen exit polls predicting decisive majority for Congress in Haryana, but BJP came to power there. You must have seen that exit polls predicted victory for the Congress in MP and Chhattisgarh, but BJP came to power there as well. You also saw exit polls projecting 300+ and 400+ seats, but the BJP stopped at 240. So, how much the exit polls are to be trusted, I leave it to the people's wisdom. But, one thing is decided in Maharashtra that Maha Vikas Aghadi is coming to power."
Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora says, "I thank the voters of Maharashtra for fulfilling their duty. In this election, Mahayuti will get a hat trick. Mahayuti will win with a comfortable majority."
Congress in-charge for Maharashtra, Ramesh Chennithala says, "Maha Vikas Aghadi is very confident in forming government in Maharashtra. In the state, the people are against the present-day government at the state and centre. Exit polls are not reflecting the reality. People's sentiments are with us...We are touching on the real issues. BJP was always resorting to the people on communal lines. I feel people in Maharashtra will vote for Maha Vikas Aghadi and we will form govt. Exit polls are not telling the reality."
The Election Commission lamented that despite a range of measures taken by it for ease of voting besides motivational campaigns, urban voters in Maharashtra continued their "dismal record" of low participation in cities including Mumbai, Pune and Thane.
Polling for assembly elections in Maharashtra concluded with the state recording 58.22 per cent voter turnout as of 5 PM.
"The (voting) percentage has increased (this time) and it will give us an advantage," says Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.
"The results will be in favour of Mahayuti because in the past 10 years, we have worked for all people. Efforts were made to mislead people during Lok Sabha elections, but now people have understood that no one can change the Constitution," says Union Minister Ramdas Athawale.
Three exit polls have forecast a majority for the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti in the 2024 Maharashtra elections, with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) narrowing the gap in the 288-member Assembly.
ABP News-Matrize Exit Poll: Ruling Mahayuti alliance: 150-170 seats; Opposition (MVA): 110-130 seats
P-Marq Exit Poll: Mahayuti: 137-158 seats (majority); MVA: 26-146 seats
People's Pulse Exit Poll: Mahayuti: 182 seats; MVA: 97 seats
Lokshahi-Rudra Exit Poll: Mahayuti: 128-142 seats; MVA: 125-140 seats (close contest); Others: 18-23 seats
Maharashtra Exit Poll Results 2024 here
60.63% in Marathwada region until 5 PM in Maharashtra assembly elections.
Sillod constituency in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district recorded the highest turnout at 70.46% until 5 PM.
Voting took place from 7 AM to 6 PM for all 288 constituencies across Maharashtra.
Includes 46 assembly segments across eight districts in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar administrative division.
Jalna district led the region with a 64.17% voter turnout until 5 PM.
Nanded district had the lowest turnout at 55.88% by 5 PM.
Congress leader Praniti Shinde expressed her support for independent candidate Dharmaraj Kadadi in the Solapur South assembly election, despite the seat being contested by her party's ally, Shiv Sena (UBT).
After casting her vote in south-western Maharashtra, Shinde explained that the coalition's norms were followed, with Congress not issuing the official 'AB' form to Kadadi, allowing him to run as an independent.
Praniti Shinde said, "There are friendly fights in many constituencies (among Maha Vikas Aghadi allies) and this (Solapur South) is one of them," she said and quipped "Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar" (The one who wins is the king).
"To vote is very important because this is how we can elect the government of our choice. Everyone should cast their votes. In Mumbai, roads are a big issue, roads should be good, there should be cleanliness, there should be focus on education and health. There shouldn't be any corruption," says actor Shakti Kapoor after casting his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai.
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: 58% voter turnout has been recorded till 5 pm in the 2024 Maharashtra Elections. The Mumbai city recorded the lowest turnout at 49%,
Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: Actor Shah Rukh Khan, along with his wife Gauri Khan, daughter and actor Suhana Khan and son Aryan Khan, arrived to cast their vote for Maharashtra Assembly elections
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: After casting his vote, actor Rajat Kapoor said, "... Mumbai has been low on it (voting percentage) always, its a tradition with Mumbai... It's possible that people are disappointed that they vote for somebody but it does not end up where it is supposed to... I hope for a government that is proactive, pro-people, and inclusive."
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Actor Salman Khan arrived at a polling booth in Mumbai to cast his vote.
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: A low voter turnput of around 45 percent was recorded in Maharashtra till 3 pm on Wednesday. The Mumbai city recorded the lowest lowest turnout at 39%
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Rajasthan Congress leader Sachin Pilot said, "The election trends are nice. People are voting in large numbers. Voting will conclude peacefully. MVA will form a government."
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Here's a look at the voter's turnout in Maharashtra Assembly election in recent past:
2004: 63%
2009: 59%
2014: 63.5%
2019: 61.5%
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: NCP-SCP leader and candidate from the Mumbra-Kalwa Assembly constituency, Jitendra Ahwad casted his vote at a polling station in Thane.
NCP-SCP leader and candidate from Mumbra-Kalwa Assembly constituency, Jitendra Ahwad says "I have just cast my vote. We are getting more than 160 seats..."
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Actor Twinkle Khanna leaves a polling booth in Mumbai after casting her vote
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: "Today is voting day and it's your right to come and vote. So, please come and cast your vote," says actor Ranbir Kapoor after casting his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai's Pali Hill area.
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: On Maharahstra Election 2024 Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s son Dhruv Goyal says, "I request everyone to cast their votes. I have also come from America. Everyone should come out and vote..."
