The Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections in 2023 have captured the nation's attention as voters head to the polls to elect representatives for all 230 seats in the state assembly. The battleground is set, and the stakes are high as the age-old rivalry between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC) takes center stage.
Background and Context
Madhya Pradesh
The tenure of the current Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly is scheduled to end on 6th January 2024. The previous assembly elections, held in November 2018, saw the Indian National Congress forming the state government, with Kamal Nath assuming the role of Chief Minister. However, political dynamics shifted dramatically in March 2020 when 22 Congress MLAs resigned from the assembly and defected to the BJP, led by Jyotiraditya Scindia. This defection resulted in the collapse of the state government and the subsequent resignation of Chief Minister Kamal Nath. The BJP swiftly formed the government, with Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the helm.
Chhattisgarh
On Friday, Chhattisgarh witnessed the second and final round of voting. There are 958 contenders fighting for 70 seats, including Deputy Chief Minister T S Singh Deo, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, eight state ministers, and four members of parliament.
The goal of the BJP, which governed Chhattisgarh from 2003 to 2018, is to unseat the Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's Congress administration. In the initial round of voting, which took place on November 7 for 20 seats, both parties declared victories. With 51 of the 70 seats it won in 2018, Baghel has been positioned as the face of the Congress as the chief minister.
The 2023 Election Schedule
The Election Commission of India announced the election schedule on 9th October 2023. Here are the key dates:
- Notification Date: 21st October 2023
- Start of Nomination: 21st October 2023
- Last Date for Filing Nomination: 30th October 2023
- Scrutiny of Nomination: 31st October 2023
- Last Date for Withdrawal of Nomination: 2nd November 2023
- Date of Poll: 17th November 2023
- Date of Counting of Votes: 3rd December 2023
Notably, the Election Commission has introduced a novel provision for eligible individuals aged 80 and above and those with physical challenges. They can cast their votes from the comfort of their homes using ballot papers. To avail of this facility, eligible voters must register with the designated booth-level officer at least 10 days prior to the election date. A dedicated team of officers will visit their residences to ensure a smooth and transparent polling process, meticulously documented through photographs and videos. While voting from home is voluntary, once chosen, it cannot be reversed³.
The Battle Lines Drawn
As the sun rises on 17th November 2023, Madhya Pradesh voters will decide the fate of their state. The BJP, led by the seasoned campaigner Shivraj Singh Chouhan, seeks to regain power, while the INC, under the leadership of Kamal Nath, aims to stage a comeback. The political discourse revolves around critical issues such as development, governance, and welfare programs. Both parties are leaving no stone unturned, crisscrossing the state, addressing rallies, and making promises that resonate with the electorate.
For both states, the vote-counting process will begin on December 3.
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