In November 2023, five Indian states will hold assembly elections, with over 161 million people set to cast their votes. These elections are of significant importance as they mark the final assembly polls before the general elections in 2024, scheduled for next summer. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar emphasized the unique significance of these elections.
Here is a breakdown of the election schedule:
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1. Mizoram, the smallest state among the poll-bound states with 40 seats, will conduct its elections on November 7.
2. Chhattisgarh, with a 90-member assembly, will hold elections in two phases on November 7 and 17.
3. Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana will go to the polls on November 17, 23, and 30, respectively.
4. The votes will be counted on December 3.
These five-state elections are viewed as a semi-final for the upcoming Lok Sabha (general) elections in April-May 2024. They serve as a testing ground for shaping electoral narratives, forming coalition arrangements, and making leadership decisions. Notably, three of these states – Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh – will witness closely contested battles between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, providing an opportunity to gauge the strengths of these two major national parties. These state elections will be crucial in shaping the political landscape and strategies leading up to the general elections in 2024.
