Live Coverage: J&K and Haryana Prepare for Crucial 2024 Elections

The Election Commission announced the schedule for the 2024 assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana. During a press conference at Vigyan Bhawan, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar outlined the dates for these elections.

In Jammu and Kashmir, voting will occur in three phases from September 18 to October 1, 2024. Meanwhile, Haryana will conduct its elections in a single phase on October 1. The results for both states are scheduled to be declared on October 4.

This announcement has sparked a debate, particularly among the opposition, regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s "one nation, one election" concept, which he emphasized during his Independence Day speech. Critics question the exclusion of Maharashtra from the simultaneous election schedule, even though Haryana and Maharashtra were previously aligned in their election timelines.

CEC Rajiv Kumar explained that the decision to separate Maharashtra from the simultaneous elections with Haryana was influenced by practical considerations. These included the need for security forces, the recent heavy rainfall in Maharashtra, and the occurrence of several festivals during the election period. The logistical challenges and resource requirements were cited as the main reasons for this separation.

The Election Commission’s decision highlights the complexity of managing elections across diverse states with varying circumstances. The move underscores the importance of balancing the need for security, logistical feasibility, and the unique needs of each state during election cycles.