J&K to vote in 3 phases from Sept 18; Haryana polls on Oct 1; results on Oct 4

The Election Commission of India started a press conference today at 3 pm at Delhi’s Vigyan Bhavan. The Commission announced the dates for the Jammu and Kashmir as well as Haryana Assembly elections. Jammu and Kashmir will hold its historic Assembly polls since the abrogation of Article 370.

ECI announced J&K's Assembly elections in three phases, on Sept 18, 25, and Oct 10.

Coinciding with J&K Assembly election's third phase, Haryana Assembly polls will be held on Oct 10.

The date of results for both the Assembly elections is Oct 4.

With the completion of Amarnath Yatra on Aug 19, on the very next day, the ECI issued the date of gazette notification on Aug 20.

"People of Jammu and Kashmir were excited for the democracy and Assembly polls,” said Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

“Triumph of ballot over bullet in Jammu and Kashmir,” says CEC Kumar.

In the press conference Kumar highlighted record participation of J&K public with 58.58% turnout at polling stations.

J&K has total of 87.09 lakh electors, with almost equal ratio of male and female, and 3.71 lakh first time voters.

In 2019, after the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir was converted into a Union Territory. Since then, political parties have been demanding the restoration of full statehood. The government has repeatedly stated that elections will be held first, and only then will statehood be restored.

According to sources in the Election Commission, voting in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir could be conducted in three to four phases. The electoral process is expected to be completed in September, with the results announced by the end of that month.

Haryana Assembly has a total of 2.01 crore electors including 1.06 crore male, 95 lakh female and 4.52 lakh first time voters.