What Election Commission Said On Delaying Maharashtra Elections
The Election Commission of India has clarified its stance on the timing of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, amidst rising speculation about possible delays and announcement of election dates for Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said that the scheduling of the elections is being determined by a range of factors, including the availability of security forces and the local conditions in Maharashtra.
Kumar highlighted that during the last election cycle, Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections were conducted simultaneously. However, this year, the situation is more complex due to the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi. The Chief Election Commissioner pointed out that these multiple elections necessitate careful planning and resource allocation, making it likely that two elections will be held together.
Kumar also mentioned that the heavy rainfall in Maharashtra, coupled with the upcoming festival season, is another critical factor being considered in deciding the election dates. The Election Commission is working to ensure that the elections are conducted smoothly without compromising the availability of security personnel or the convenience of the voters.
“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…,” he said while announcing the schedule for Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
Haryana is set to hold its Assembly elections on October 1, with the results to be announced on October 4, according to the Election Commission. The state has 90 seats, including 73 General and 17 Scheduled Castes (SC) seats. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar disclosed that over 2 crore voters will participate, casting their ballots at 20,629 polling stations across the state, with over 10,000 centenarian voters included in the electorate.
The upcoming Jammu and Kashmir elections will be held in three phases, starting September 18, with subsequent phases on September 25 and October 1. Votes will be counted on October 4. The Election Commission noted an increased voter turnout during the recent Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, signaling strong voter engagement.
