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Assembly Election 2024 Date Announcement Updates: Elections in J&K to be held in three phases, Haryana in one; counting of votes on October 4
Assembly Elections 2024 On Tuesday, the Election Commission announced that the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases. The voting will commence on August 20 for the first phase, followed by the second phase on August 29, and the final phase on September 5.Approximately 9 million residents are registered to vote in the election for the 90-member legislative assembly, according to the Election Commission.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) released the election schedule on Friday at 3 PM.
Following a Supreme Court directive last December, the central government has been mandated to complete the election process in the Union Territory by September 30, 2024. This election marks the first since 2014, as Jammu and Kashmir has not held assembly elections in a decade.
The previous PDP-BJP coalition government collapsed in June 2018 after the BJP withdrew its support from then-Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Recently, a delegation from the Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, reviewed preparations for the polls in Jammu and Kashmir. During a press conference in Jammu, Kumar reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting the elections “as soon as possible.”
The Election Commission is also expected to announce the schedule for the Maharashtra legislative assembly elections, which comprise 288 seats, in the near future.Earlier, National Conference (JKNC) Vice President Omar Abdullah had emphasized the importance of holding early assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah expressed hope that the dates for the elections would be announced soon, reflecting on the fact that the region has been without an elected assembly since 2018.
Assembly Election 2024 Date Live Updates: EC on Maharashtra Elections
Live Update on Assembly Election Schedule: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar addressed queries about the Maharashtra Assembly elections, stating, “In the past, Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections were held simultaneously, with Jammu and Kashmir not being a factor at that time. This year, we have four elections scheduled, followed by a fifth one. The sequence includes Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi. Due to the need for adequate security forces and considering recent heavy rainfall and upcoming festivals in Maharashtra, we have decided to hold two elections together.”
Boss Not Giving Permission: Uddhav Camp Criticizes EC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has criticized the Election Commission for its delay in announcing the Maharashtra elections.
In a post on X, Thackeray questioned the Commission’s rationale for postponing Maharashtra’s election, citing “constraints on security forces” while scheduling simultaneous elections in Jammu and Kashmir. He remarked, “Despite all the rhetoric about ‘one nation, one election,’ the so-called ‘Entirely Compromised Commission’ uses the excuse of security force constraints as a reason for delaying elections in Maharashtra, while pushing ahead with elections in J&K.”
Why elections for Maharashtra, Jharkhand assemblies not announced
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar explained, “Previously, Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections were conducted simultaneously, and Jammu and Kashmir was not considered at that time. This year, we have four elections scheduled, with a fifth one immediately following. Given the need for security forces and the recent heavy rainfall in Maharashtra, along with several upcoming festivals, we have decided to hold two elections together.”
The polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be held on September 18, September 25 and October 1.The results will be announced on October 4.
Single-phase polling in Haryana on Oct 1, results on Oct 4
Polling in Haryana will take place in a single phase on October 1, which will align with the third phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir. The vote counting for both regions is scheduled for October .
Polling in 90 assembly seats in Haryana
The assembly elections in Haryana will be held for 90 seats, of which 73 are general and 17 reserved for Scheduled Castes(SC).