Upcoming Elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana: Key Dates Announced
The Election Commission (EC) has announced the schedule for the much-anticipated Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana.
The Haryana Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on October 1, with the counting of votes set for October 4. The term of Haryana’s legislative assembly will end on November 3. The Election Commission’s announcement came as part of a broader update on the election calendar, which also includes polls in Jammu and Kashmir and Maharashtra later this year.
The long-awaited Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which have been pending since 2014, are finally scheduled to take place in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1. The results of these elections will be announced on October 4, as confirmed by the Election Commission (EC) on Friday afternoon.
This announcement marks a significant step forward in fulfilling the Supreme Court’s directive that democracy must return to the region by September 30. Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Srinagar, had assured that elections would be held soon and that statehood would eventually be restored to Jammu and Kashmir.
In preparation for these crucial elections, the Election Commission has announced that the final voter list will be published by August 20, just after the conclusion of the Amarnath Yatra. It is expected that around 87 lakh voters will participate in the elections, reflecting a significant turnout.
Rajiv Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner, emphasized the importance of these elections and the desire of the people for change. “The people want to script a new future,” he said, underlining the enthusiasm observed during the Election Commission’s recent visit to the region to assess the readiness for the elections.
The Election Commission recently visited Haryana to review the preparations for the upcoming polls and will announce the schedule for Maharashtra Assembly elections in due course.
The Chief Election Commissioner highlighted the desire of the people in Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the democratic process. He pointed out the long queues observed during the Lok Sabha elections in both Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as evidence of the people’s eagerness to vote and bring about change. “The people chose ballots over bullets,” he declared, expressing hope that these elections would pave the way for a brighter future.
To ensure the smooth conduct of the elections, a large-scale reshuffle of senior police officers, including district chiefs and the head of Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Intelligence unit, was carried out just before the announcement of the election dates. This move comes in response to increased terror attacks in several districts of Jammu, highlighting the challenges that lie ahead in holding a safe and secure election.
The journey to these elections has been long and complex. Since 2018, Jammu and Kashmir has been under the Governor’s Rule, and despite earlier visits by the Election Commission in 2019 and 2024, simultaneous Assembly elections were not held. The Supreme Court, however, had directed the Election Commission to ensure that Assembly polls are conducted by September 30, 2024, while hearing petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the government’s decision to revoke Article 370 but stressed the importance of re-establishing a democratically elected government in Jammu and Kashmir. The court also upheld the creation of the Union Territory of Ladakh in August 2019, just weeks before the scheduled Assembly elections.
As these elections approach, there is significant anticipation about their impact on the democratic landscape of both Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, with voters looking forward to shaping the future of their respective regions. Will the Election Commission’s efforts to ensure a free and fair election be enough to restore the people’s faith in democracy and pave the way for the eventual restoration of statehood?
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