5 upcoming states elections to witness record 60 Lakh first-time voters

According to the Chief Election Commissioner, there are 8.52 lakh registered voters in Mizoram, 2.03 crore in Chhattisgarh, 5.6 cr in Madhya Pradesh, 5.25 cr in Rajasthan, and 3.17 cr in Telangana. There will be almost 60 lakh first-time voters (aged 18 to 19) in the elections for 5 states. Due to changes made to the qualifying dates, 15.39 lakh young voters are qualified to vote. More than 2900 polling locations will be run by young people to encourage young voters.

CE stated that “As we stand on the verge of elections in these states, it is worth noting that these polls hold a unique significance, but also for the nation.” He added that the EC has placed a strong emphasis on “roll-to-poll conversion” and on making electoral rolls inclusive.

In the upcoming state elections, the CEC has provided a comprehensive breakdown of the voter demographics in the five states set to go to the polls. These states include Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana, collectively representing a substantial voter base.

Mizoram boasts 8.52 lakh registered voters, while Chhattisgarh stands out with a staggering 2.03 cr voters. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are in close competition, with 5.6 cr and 5.2 cr voters, respectively. Meanwhile, Telangana rounds off the list with 3.17 crore eligible voters. When you combine these figures, the total electorate in these states comprises a significant 8.2 cr male and 7.8 cr female voters.

These state elections are being viewed as a crucial precursor to the 2024 assembly elections, often referred to as the semi-final before the grand showdown. The stakes are particularly high for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as it seeks to recover from its earlier setback in the Karnataka assembly elections. All eyes are on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as the next major electoral milestone.
The political landscape in these states is diverse. While the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) governs Telangana, Madhya Pradesh is under the leadership of the BJP. Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, on the other hand, are currently under Congress rule, and Mizoram is guided by the Mizo National Front.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently embarked on visits to the states in the electoral spotlight, including Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, indicating the significance of these upcoming elections on the national stage.

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is set to witness a pivotal electoral showdown as it goes to the polls on November 17, with the eagerly anticipated results slated for December 3, 2023. The Election Commission has officially confirmed this election schedule.

In the previous 2018 elections, the Congress secured a total of 114 seats out of the 230 available, garnering a significant vote share of 41.5%. Meanwhile, the BJP emerged as the second-largest party, clinching 109 seats. However, the political landscape in Madhya Pradesh experienced a dramatic transformation in 2020, when the Congress government lost its majority. A group of MLAs, led by Scindia, defected to the BJP, resulting in the latter’s return to power, with Shivraj Singh Chouhan assuming the role of Chief Minister. This forthcoming election holds immense significance for the state.

Rajasthan

The political landscape in Rajasthan is set to witness a significant transformation as the state prepares for its upcoming assembly elections. Scheduled for November 23, 2023, the 200-seat assembly election will be conducted in a single phase. In the previous elections, the Congress emerged as the single-largest party with 99 seats, just one short of a majority. Nonetheless, they formed the state government through a strategic alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the support of independent MLAs, securing a tenuous grip on power. The BJP secured 73 seats, setting the stage for an interesting Telangana to Hold Assembly Elections on November 30, 2023, with Results on December 3.

Telangana

The 119-seat state will hold elections on November 30 with the results being on December 3 of that year. In the 2018 assembly elections, Telangana is expected to see a triangular struggle between the BJP, the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), and the Congress. BRS won 88 seats out of 119 in the previous elections held in 2018 with a commanding vote share of 47.4%. With 19 members, Congress had placed a faraway second.

Chhattisgarh

Elections in Chhattisgarh will take place on November 7 and November 17, in two stages. The count will be completed on December 3, 2023. With a vote percentage of 43.9%, Congress won 68 of the 90 seats in 2018. With 15 seats in Chhattisgarh, the BJP finished in a distant second.

Mizoram

On November 7, the 40-seat assembly cast its votes. In Mizoram, the Mizo National Front was able to secure 26 seats in 2018 with a vote share of 37.8%.