The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to announce the schedule for the upcoming assembly elections today at 3 PM. The announcement will cover the electoral timelines for Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand, with a strong possibility of including the much-awaited dates for Jammu and Kashmir’s assembly elections.
The legislative terms for Maharashtra and Haryana are scheduled to conclude on November 3 and November 26, respectively, while Jharkhand’s term ends in January 2025. Jammu and Kashmir, without an elected assembly since 2018, is also expected to see polls by September 30, as directed by the Supreme Court.
The Election Commission has been actively preparing for these elections, recently conducting visits to Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana to assess poll readiness. However, a visit to Maharashtra is still pending. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring that the people of the Union Territory have the opportunity to elect their representatives.
Today’s announcement will include critical dates for the filing of nominations, polling days, and the declaration of results, setting the stage for the electoral process in these states. This marks a significant step towards re-establishing elected governance in Jammu and Kashmir after five years of administration under a Lieutenant Governor.
