The Election Commission (EC) has commenced preparations for upcoming Assembly elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Jammu & Kashmir by initiating the update of electoral rolls across these states. The terms of the current legislative assemblies are set to conclude on November 3 (Haryana), November 26 (Maharashtra), and January 5, 2025 (Jharkhand), necessitating elections before the completion of their terms.
Notably, in Jammu & Kashmir, elections will mark the first since the abrogation of Article 370 and the region’s bifurcation into two union territories. The EC has set July 1, 2024, as the qualifying date for the electoral rolls update, following the Supreme Court’s directive last December to conduct Assembly polls in Jammu & Kashmir by September 30.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar highlighted the commission’s commitment to ensuring a comprehensive electoral process, taking into account recent developments and the enthusiastic voter turnout observed during the Lok Sabha elections. Preparatory activities, including the establishment or rationalization of polling stations in various settings such as group housing societies, slums, urban outgrowths, and rural areas, will commence from June 25.
The final electoral rolls, reflecting all updates, are scheduled to be published on August 20. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently affirmed plans for early Assembly polls in Jammu & Kashmir and reiterated efforts towards reinstating the region’s statehood. Post Abbreviation: EC begins preparations for Assembly polls in Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir.
