Maharashtra Elections 2024: Maharashtra goes to polls on Wednesday, November 20as voters cast their ballots for the 288 Assembly seats. In preparation for the elections, the state government has issued guidelines regarding the functioning of various institutions and services. November 20 was declared a public holiday to make voting easier, with some services remaining open and others closed across the state.

Here’s everything you need to know about what’s open and what’s closed in Maharashtra on polling day.

Banks: closed for business

According to the List of Reserve Bank of India holidays, all banks in Maharashtra will be closed on November 20 due to the Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2024. However, despite the closure of physical bank branches, digital banking services including automated teller machines, UPI platforms and online banking services will remain operational. Customers can continue to access financial services without interruption.

Stock markets: no trading on election day

The scholarships of Mumbai including National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)will observe a public holiday on November 20 on the occasion of the elections. As a result, there will be no trading activity on that day.

Offices: paid leave for employees

Maharashtra government offices will be closed on November 20. Additionally, all private sector employees in Mumbai are given paid leave by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to vote. First responders will have a four-hour window to vote during the day.

Liquor stores: closed on election day

As per polling day regulations, liquor shops in Maharashtra will remain closed on November 20 to ensure law and order during the voting process.

Educational establishments: closed for voting day

All schools, colleges and others educational institutions in Maharashtra to remain closed on November 20 to enable students and staff to participate in the election process. This closure is part of efforts to ensure smooth and efficient voting across the state.

Public transportation: operational across the state

Public transport in Maharashtra to remain fully operational on November 20. In Mumbai, major public transport options, including the Metro and BEST bus services, will continue to operate throughout the day and well into the evening, with services available until midnight to ensure voters can reach the polling stations.

Health services: open for emergencies

Hospitals, emergency medical services and pharmacies will remain open on Election Day. Ambulance services will also be available for those requiring urgent care, ensuring continuity of health services.

Maharashtra Assembly Elections: Mahayuti vs MVA

THE The 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections are shaping up to be a tough fight between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. (AMV). The Mahayuti alliance consists of three main parties: Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) and BJP. This alliance has distributed the share of seats as follows: the BJP will contest 148 seats, Shiv Sena 80 seats and Ajit Pawar’s NCP 53 seats, with the remaining seven seats going to smaller allies.

The MVA, for its part, includes Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). In this alliance, the Congress will contest 103 seats, Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT) will field candidates in 83 constituencies and Sharad Pawar’s NCP will contest 87 seats. The remaining nine seats will likely be contested by smaller parties.

The outcome of these hotly contested elections will be crucial to the future direction of Maharashtra’s political landscape, with the results expected to be announced on November 23.