Last update:November 20, 2024, 11:14 AM IST

Assembly Election 2024 Voting Today: Voting is underway in all 288 Assembly constituencies in Maharashtra, remaining 38 seats in Jharkhand and bypolls in Punjab, UP, Kerala and Uttarakhand.

The counting of votes for the legislative elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand as well as the bypolls will take place on November 23. (Representational image: PTI/File)

2024 Assembly Election: Voting is underway for all 288 Assembly constituencies in Maharashtrasecond phase of voting for 38 seats Jharkhand as well as bypasses in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Uttarakhand.

More than 9.7 million voters will choose from the 4,136 candidates in Maharashtra. As of October 30, the updated number of registered voters stands at 9,70,25,119, election officials said. There are 1,00,186 polling booths in the state this time.

In Jharkhand, voting began at 7 am in 14,218 polling booths across 12 districts and will continue till 5 pm. But in 31 polling booths, voting will end at 4 p.m., but people queuing at that time will be able to exercise their right to vote. A total of 1.23 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise.

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to voting. This comes from guidelines fixed by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

HOW TO VOTE

You can only vote if your name appears in the electoral list (also known as the electoral roll). Voters can also find information about voting booths (where to vote), the candidates in the running (know your candidate), election dates and times, identity cards and electronic voting machines (EVM).

WHERE TO CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION STATUS?

Check your name on the list either:

• Connection to ElectionSearch.eci.gov.in
• Call him voter assistance line 1950 (please add your STD code before dialing)
• SMS space until 1950 (EPIC stands for Voter Photo ID Card also commonly known as Voter ID Card). Example: If your EPIC is 12345678, send ECI 12345678 to 1950.
• Download Voter Helpline App (Android) And Voter Helpline App (iOS).

WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES?

Voters can visit the candidate affidavit portal or download the voter support apps on Android and iOS to view the list of candidates. Please note that this data is updated as affidavits are filed by candidates.

WHERE CAN I VOTE?

• Voters can go ElectionSearch.eci.gov.in or use the voter assistance apps on Android and iOS to find their voting booth
• Voters can call the Voter Helpline, the number is 1950 (please add your STD code before dialing)
• For the location of the polling station, SMS space until 1950. Cell phones, cameras or any other gadgets are not allowed inside a voting booth.

HOW CAN I VOTE IN PERSON?

• The first poll official will check your name on the voters list and verify your ID.
• The second election officer will ink your finger, give you a slip and take your signature on a register (Form 17A).
• You will need to drop the ballot off at the third polling official and show your inked finger, then proceed to the voting booth.
• Register your vote by pressing the vote button opposite the symbol of the candidate of your choice on the EVM. You will hear a beep
• Check the slip that appears in the transparent window of the VVPAT machine. The slip with serial number, name and symbol of the candidate should be visible for seven seconds before falling into the sealed box of the VVPAT.
• You can press NOTE (none of the above) if you don’t like any candidate. This is the last button of the EVM
• For more information, please see the voter guide on ecisveep.nic.in
• Cell phones, cameras or any other gadgets are not allowed inside a polling booth.

HOW TO USE EVM?

EVM stands for Electronic Voting Machine and VVPAT stands for Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail.

See this video for more details.

WHAT IDENTIFICATION DO I NEED TO BRING TO VOTE?

Voters can carry any of the recognized ID cards mentioned below to vote. The voter card with photo will not be accepted as a stand-alone identification document for voting.

• EPIC (Voter ID Card)
• Passport
• Driving license
• Service Identity Cards with Photo issued to employees by Central/State Government/PSU/Public Companies
• Booklets with photo issued by the Bank/Post Office
• PAN card
• Smart card issued by RGI under NPR
• MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee) Job Card
• Health insurance smart card issued under the Ministry of Labor program
• Pension document with photo
• Official identity cards issued to MPs/MPs/MLCs
• Aadhaar card