The voting in the Maharashtra Assembly elections has been historic, the third largest since 1962, when it was 60.30 % after the formation of separate Maharashtra in 1960.
The highest polling of 71.60% was recorded in 1995, which was after the demolition of the Babri Mosque and the implementation of the Mandal Commission. The second highest voting in Maharashtra’s history was at 67.50% in 1978, the polling after the Emergency imposed by the Congress Government led by Indira Gandhi. The 1995 election also had the impact of the 1993 Mumbai blasts and services officers by the government after the devastating earthquake in Latur in Maharashtra.
The polling percentages since the formation of the Maharashtra state in 1960 are as follows –
1962 – 60.30%.
1967- 64.80%
1972 – 60.60%.
1978 – 67.50%.
1980 – 53.20%.
1985 – 59.10%..
1990 – 62.60%.
1995 – 71.60%.
1999 – 60.90%.
2004 – 63/40%.
2009 – 59.60%.
2014 – 63.30%.
2019 – 61.450%
2024 – 65.10%.
The impact appears to be mainly of the CM’s Ladki Bahin Scheme and the Maratha reservation factor. The much-debated Hindu-Muslim divide is an issue of debate and used by various parties during the election campaign remains to be studied further, as less voting was reported in many Muslim-dominated areas in Maharashtra.