India, March 18 -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated the countdown to the Lok Sabha polls, scheduling them across seven phases. Maharashtra, the second-largest state in terms of number of seats-with 48 Lok Sabha constituencies, is slated to go to the polls in five phases, commencing with five constituencies from eastern Vidarbha on April 19.

Subsequently, the second phase will encompass eight constituencies in Vidarbha and central Maharashtra on April 26. The third phase, on May 7, will witness polling for 11 seats in western Maharashtra and Konkan, followed by the fourth phase for 11 constituencies across north, western, and central Maharashtra on May 13. Finally, the largest phase, encompassing 13 seats in Mumbai, th...