Assembly election dates 2024 Updates: J&K to vote in 3 phases from Sept 18, Haryana to vote on Oct 1; results on Oct 4

On the announcement of dates for the Assembly polls in J&K and Haryana, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi said, “AAP party is completely ready for the Assembly polls in Haryana…We are continuously holding public rallies and addressing and a large number of people are attending them…Arvind Kejriwal is the son of Haryana, so the people of Haryana have an emotional attachment to him…AAP will strongly contest the elections in Haryana and will win it…Whether there will be an alliance or not, will be decided after Arvind Kejriwal comes out of jail…we are planning everything for the polls in the state….We are happy that after 10 years (Assembly) elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir…”

Congress leader Pawan Khera says, "Only yesterday the PM talked about 'One nation, one election'. Now what happened? They are doing elections only in two states.. Their defeat is certain...We are ready for elections..."

BJP leader Anil Vij says, "It is a good thing that elections in Haryana will be held on October 1. Our party and workers are ready to contest the elections..."

"Congress is ready and people of all sections have decided to bring Congress to power," said former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Over 11,800 polling stations will attract voters across rural and urban areas in J&K. Average voters per polling station is 735

There will be 87.09 lakh electors in J&K for the upcoming polls: EC

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar says, "Last time, Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections were held together. At that time, J&K was not a factor but this time there are 4 elections this year and 5th election immediately after this, which is to start with J&K, Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Delhi. Depending on the requirement of forces, we have decided to conduct 2 elections together...The other factor is that there was heavy rainfall in Maharashtra and there are several festivals lined up too..."

The J&K Lieutenant Governor’s (LG) administration’s unprecedented reshuffle of at least 198 upper and middle-rung officers in 12 hours in the civil administration and police department on Friday raised many eyebrows, especially from the National Conference (NC).

Ahead of the Election Commission's press conference, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah told ANI, "... They used to say article 370 is responsible for the rise in terrorism. You are in power and still, the terrorism is at its peak...Today, the dates will be announced... A parliament committee will be formed and the candidate will be of your choice who can resolve your difficulties..."

The terms of the legislative assemblies of Haryana and Maharashtra end on November 3 and November 26, respectively. The poll panel also plans to hold assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir before September 30, the deadline set by the Supreme Court.

The  J&K unit of BJP has formed an election committee that consists of Ravinder Raina, party's State President, Dr Jitendra Singh, Member of Parliament, Jugal Kishore Sharma MP, Ghulam Ali Khatana, MP Rajya Sabha, Ashok Koul, General Secretary (organisation), Dr. Nirmal Singh, former Deputy Chief Minister, Kavinder Gupta, former Deputy Chief Minister, Sunil Sharma, General Secretary, Adv. Vibodh Gupta, General Secretary, Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal, General Secretary, Dr. Darakshan Andrabi, Devinder Singh Rana, former MLA, Ajay Bharti, former MLC and Sanjita Dogra, President Mahila Morcha. This Committee has G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister, Tarun Chugh, National General Secretary & Prabhari J&K, Ashish Sood, Seh-Prabhari J&K and Dr. Narinder Singh, National Secretary as Special Invitees.

The National Conference on Friday called on the Election Commission of India (ECI) to thoroughly investigate the massive transfers in the police and civil administration, and demanded immediate suspension of the implementation of such orders.

CEC Rajiv Kumar said that there are 90 Assembly constituencies in J&K – 74 general, 9 ST, and 7 SC constituencies, and the electorate comprises 87.09 lakh people – 44.46 lakh males, 44.62 lakh women, and 169 transgenders. There are 82,590 PwDs among the voters, 73,943 senior citizens, 2,660 centenarians, and 76,092 service voters.

There are 3.71 lakh first-time voters, he said.

JKNC vice president Omar Abdullah said, "We don't know that for sure (if dates will be announced for J&K too). That's speculation. We hope that they are announcing dates for J&K. But in the past also we have expected an announcement and one hasn't been forthcoming. J&K has been without an elected assembly since 2018. This is perhaps the longest period without an elected government in J&K. So, we hope that the ECI will use today's opportunity to announce early elections in J&K, in keeping with what the Supreme Court of India has said because this is as per their guideline, their directives..."

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini announced 36,000 new jobs, 76 new colleges including 32 for women, and initiatives to empower women with free education, loans, and increased representation in governance.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has transferred several officials, including deputy commissioners. Late on Thursday night, the general administration department of Jammu and Kashmir issued orders for 89 transfers and posting with immediate effect.

The Election Commission has set up special polling stations for Kashmiri migrants ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

“At least 26 special polling stations have been set up in Delhi, Jammu and Udhampur for the Kashmir migrants,” said CEC Rajiv Kumar.

"I pay tribute to Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary...The Haryana cabinet had decided to give Rs 2000 per acre as a bonus to farmers on Kharif crops in Haryana. Today, its first instalment has been released...The first instalment of Rs 525 crore has been released...Veterinary polyclinics will be opened in Panchkula, Kaithal, Karnal, Hisar, Jhajjar, Gurugram, Faridabad and Yamuna Nagar...The milk sellers who deliver milk from door to door will be brought under the Dayalu scheme..." said Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini.

In Haryana, OBCs account for the largest chunk of voters at about 30%, followed by Jats at nearly 25%, and the Scheduled Castes (SCs) at about 20%.

The National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party are likely to face each other during the Assembly polls. National Conference headed by former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has ruled out any pre-poll alliance with any political party asserting that the NC would form the next government on its own in the UT. Peoples Democratic Party headed by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has decided to fight the Assembly elections without any pre-poll alliance after the PDP opposed the NC in the Lok Sabha elections.

“In the Lok Sabha polls, the people of Maharashtra have taught a lesson to the BJP alliance, and now the Maha Vikas Aghadi will form the government with a two-third majority in the Assembly elections,” said All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary  Ramesh Chennithala, who is the party’s in-charge of Maharashtra.

The three-member ECI had travelled to the UT last week to review the poll preparedness there. Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had said the poll panel was committed to holding assembly elections in the UT at the earliest, adding that no outside or internal forces could derail the electoral process.

During a recent visit, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reassured that the Election Commission is committed to holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible, despite potential challenges.

The Election Commission is set to unveil its schedule for upcoming assembly elections, though details regarding specific states remain undisclosed. Elections are anticipated in Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Good morning! Welcome to Moneycontrol's live coverage. The Election Commission of India will announce the election dates for several states at 3 PM today. Stay tuned for more updates.