Novemvber 20, 2024: Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar were recently seen together at a polling booth in Bandra, Mumbai, as voting for the Maharashtra Assembly elections kicked off on Wednesday morning.
The sibling duo cast their votes and posed for photographers, proudly showing their inked fingers to encourage others to participate in the democratic process. Their gesture aimed to inspire voters to step out and exercise their right to vote.
Other celebrities who arrived early to vote included Akshay Kumar, RajKummar Rao, and Kabir Khan, underscoring the importance of the elections.
Voting for the single-phase Maharashtra Assembly elections began at 7 am and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is being conducted across 288 assembly constituencies, with a total of 4,136 candidates vying for seats. Among them, 2,086 are independent candidates. The political landscape is divided, with key players like the BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress contesting the elections in a highly competitive environment.
The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59, while Congress has fielded 101 candidates. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) are also participating, along with other smaller parties such as the BSP, which is contesting 237 seats. The total number of registered voters in Maharashtra is approximately 9.7 crore.
To ensure a smooth polling process, extensive security measures have been put in place. The Mumbai Police has deployed over 25,000 personnel, including riot-control teams and home guards. The police force is working to maintain law and order, ensuring a peaceful election day.
The political contest in Maharashtra is marked by shifting alliances, ideological battles, and complex caste dynamics. The main rivalry is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP, and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).
The previous election results in 2019 saw the BJP securing 105 seats, Shiv Sena 56, and Congress 44, while in 2014, the BJP had won 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and Congress 42. This election is set to play a significant role in shaping the future political landscape of Maharashtra.
