Sat Nov 23 03:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Vote Counting Underway in Maharashtra, Jharkhand Assembly Elections and 48 By-elections Across 14 States

**New Delhi:** The counting of votes is underway for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections, along with 48 Assembly by-elections across 14 states and by-elections for the Wayanad and Nanded Lok Sabha seats.

A significant number of these by-elections (42 out of 48 seats) were necessitated by the resignation of MLAs who were elected to Parliament. The largest number of resignations came from the Congress (11), followed by BJP (9), SP and TMC (5 each), and other parties (12). Three seats fell vacant due to the demise of MLAs, while the remaining vacancies resulted from factors such as an MLA’s imprisonment, resignations in Sikkim (2), and a party switch in Madhya Pradesh (1).

The Election Commission had initially scheduled by-elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Kerala for November 13th but postponed the voting to November 20th following requests from BJP, Congress, RLD, and BSP. These parties cited the religious holidays of Kartik Purnima and Guru Nanak Jayanti, and the Kerala festival Kalpathu Rastholsavam, which fell on or around the original date, as potentially affecting voter turnout.

Initial trends suggest a close contest in Jharkhand. The Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) is currently leading in 15 seats (JMM 5, Congress 5, RJD 3, CPI(ML)(L) 2), while the NDA is leading in 10 seats (BJP 7, AJSUP 3). JLKM and other independents are also ahead in one seat each. In Uttar Pradesh, BJP’s Shuchismita Maurya is leading in the Majhwan Assembly constituency by-election. In Sikkim, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha won the Soreng–Chakung and Namchi–Singhithang Assembly seats uncontested. Further leads are reported for BJP in Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath constituency and TMC in West Bengal’s Madarihat constituency. The final results are awaited.

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