AMRAVATI, Oct 22 Polling for the biennial election to the Maharashtra Legislative Council from the Amravati Division Teachers’ Constituency will be held on October 23 and as many as 26 candidates are in the fray. Total 35,810 voters are set to decide the candidates’ fate. at 81 polling stations spread across five districts of the Amravati Division. The counting of votes will be held on at Lokshahi Bhavan in Amravati on October 27. The Amravati Division Teachers' Constituency election is set to witness a keen multi-cornered contest with candidates backed by political parties, teachers’ organisations and rebel groups. With 26 candidates in the fray, the election has turned into a closely watched battle in which teachers' issues, political equations and preference-vote management are expected to play a crucial role.

 

 

While candidates backed by political parties have the advantage of organisational networks and financial resources, nominees of teachers' organisations are banking on their long standing struggles over teachers' demands and service-related issues. Despite limited resources, these candidates have intensified their campaign, seeking to convert their work on teachers’ issues into electoral support. Dr Prashant Vighe, a SGBAU Senate Member backed by NUTA, Dilip Kadu of the Vidarbha Madhyamik Shikshak Sangha and Avinash Borde of VIJUCTA are among the prominent contenders from the teachers' organisations.

 

They have been associated with agitations and campaigns over teachers' issues for a considerable period and are seeking to capitalise on their association with the teaching community. The contest has also gained significance due to the entry of candidates associated with political factions and those who have rebelled against the BJP. Sangeeta Shinde, sister of Rajya Sabha MP Dr Anil Bonde, Shekhar Bhoyar of the Shikshak Mahasangha and Sumit Pawar are among the candidates expected to influence the electoral arithmetic. The Congress has fielded Aditi Pohare. Sitting MLC Kiran Sarnaik and former MLC Shrikant Deshpande are also in the contest while Dattatraya Lahane is contesting on behalf of the Shiv Sena (UBT).

 

The presence of multiple candidates with political backing, organisational networks and established connections with teachers has made the electoral battle more complex. Rebellion within the Mahayuti alliance and the friendly contest among constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi are likely to complicate the prospects of candidates associated with these political groupings. The preferential voting system is expected to be a decisive factor in the election. With a large number of candidates in the fray, the ability to secure sufficient first preference votes and manage subsequent preferences could significantly influence the outcome. The contest is therefore not merely a test of political strength but also of the candidates' standing among teachers, their organisational reach and their ability to secure support through successive preferences. The final outcome will depend on how effectively the candidates translate their campaign efforts into votes when polling takes place.

 

The election machinery has made elaborate arrangements to ensure that polling is conducted in a free and fair atmosphere. Around 243 officers and employees have been deployed at the 81 polling stations, while another 53 personnel have been kept in reserve. Each polling station will have five personnel comprising one presiding officer three polling officers and one police personnel. Adequate security arrangements have been made and webcasting will be carried out at all polling stations to monitor the proceedings. As many as 28 zonal officers have also been appointed to oversee polling arrangements. Information related to voting will be made available outside each polling station, and necessary facilities are being provided to voters. The constituency has a total of 35,810 registered voters across five districts.

 

Amravati has the highest number of voters, at 10,097, followed by Buldhana with 9,124 and Yavatmal with 6,932. Teachers eligible to vote have been granted special casual leave to enable them to exercise their franchise. However, the special leave provision does not apply to voters employed in private establishments. To facilitate their participation in the election, the Election Commission of India has directed that such voters be given a special concession of four hours. Strict restrictions have been imposed within a 200 metre radius of polling stations. The use, installation or operation of loudspeakers, public address systems and other sound amplifying equipment in public or private spaces within the restricted area has been prohibited. Political parties will not be permitted to set up booths or tents within the 200 metre zone. Unlawful assembly, campaigning and attempts to influence voters through inducements have also been prohibited under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Nayana Gunde, Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer, has appealed all voters to exercise their franchise. 

 

 

Total 5,942 registered voters will exercise their franchise in Akola district for the for the Division Teachers’ Constituency election of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. The election will be held at 13 polling stations, informed District Election Officer and Collector Varsha Meena. Tight police security will be deployed at and around the polling stations, it was informed during the meeting. To ensure the election process is conducted peacefully, SP Archit Chandak has issued separate orders appointing Nodal Officers and Assistant Nodal Officers for their respective jurisdictions. 

 

 

The administration is geared up for the Nagpur Division Legislative Council Graduates’ Constituency polls on October 23. There are 22,176 registered voters in Gondia. Vijay Awadhane, Deputy Collector (Election), informed that Gondia will have 39 polling booths in all eight talukas of the district. Of the 22,176 voters, 1,887 are specially-abled. Also 24 are above the age of 80 years. In Bhandara district , there are 21,349 registered voters and of them 1,034 are specially-abled and 36 are above 80 years of age. In Bhandara, polling will be doen at 35 booths.