Mumbai: With the Maharashtra state assembly elections scheduled for November 20, 2024, the Election Commission has made extensive arrangements to ensure voters can reach polling stations with ease. More than 10,000 public and private buses have been coordinated to transport eligible voters, election staff, and voting materials around Mumbai and across various regions of the state.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has leased out approximately 9,000 buses specifically for this purpose, aiming to facilitate a smooth electoral process. In addition, the state will use 1,000 private buses and 400 Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses over the election period.
Shashank Rao, a prominent leader of the BEST Workers’ Union, voiced concerns about the impact of these arrangements on Mumbai’s heavily crowded routes. He told The Indian Express, “With BEST running fewer buses than usual, the additional burden of providing buses for election duty could worsen the daily commute challenges for city residents.”
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The bus fleet is set to begin operations on November 18 and continue until the conclusion of election day on November 20. This initiative will ensure the secure transport of electronic voting machines (EVMs), voter lists, and other essential election materials to all designated locations across Maharashtra’s 288 constituencies.
As more than nine crore eligible voters prepare to participate in these elections, the logistical arrangements signify a strong commitment to a smooth voting experience, especially given the large-scale mobilisation required for both voters and the 4,088 candidates vying for assembly seats.
This large-scale effort highlights the measures being taken to maintain voting accessibility and uphold the integrity of the electoral process in Maharashtra.
