New Delhi, August 29, 2024 — The stage is set for the Haryana Assembly elections, which will be conducted in a single phase on October 1, 2024, with results to be announced on October 4, 2024. The state, which has 90 assembly constituencies, will witness intense political battles as major parties and alliances vie for control.
Election Schedule and Key Dates
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has laid out the schedule for the Haryana Assembly elections, with the last date for filing nominations set for September 12, 2024. The scrutiny of nominations will take place on September 13, and candidates will have until September 16 to withdraw their candidatures. The term of the current Haryana Assembly is due to expire on November 3, 2024.
Major Political Parties and Alliances
The upcoming elections will see fierce competition among several major political entities:
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): The BJP, which secured 40 seats in the 2019 elections, is seeking to retain its hold on the state. However, the party’s alliance with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) collapsed earlier this year over disagreements on seat-sharing for the Lok Sabha elections, leading to the resignation of Manohar Lal Khattar as Chief Minister. Nayab Singh Saini was later sworn in as the new Chief Minister.
- Congress: The Congress, part of the INDIA bloc, is likely to contest the Haryana Assembly polls independently. In the 2019 elections, the party won 31 seats and will be looking to improve its tally in the upcoming polls.
- Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) – Azad Samaj Party (ASP) Alliance: After the fallout with BJP, JJP has allied with the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram). The alliance will contest all 90 assembly constituencies, with JJP competing in 70 seats and ASP in 20. JJP leader Dushyant Chautala confirmed this arrangement, stating, “Out of 90 seats, JJP will contest on 70 seats and Azad Samaj Party on 20 seats.”
- BSP-INLD Alliance: The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), led by former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, has joined hands with its former ally BSP for the state assembly polls. The alliance has projected INLD leader and MLA Abhay Chautala as its chief ministerial candidate.
Candidates and Poll Preparedness
So far, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is the only party that has announced candidates for the upcoming elections. BSP’s first list includes four candidates: Darshan Lal Kheda (Jagadhri), Gopal Singh Rana (Assandh), Harbilas Singh (Naraingarh), and Thakur Uttar Lal (Ateli).
The Chief Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. SS Sandhu, conducted a thorough review of poll preparedness in Haryana. The ECI has assured that the elections will be free, fair, and inclusive, with a particular focus on enhancing voter participation and ensuring the safety of elderly and disabled voters.
Special Initiatives for Voters
For the first time in Haryana’s state assembly elections, senior citizens over 85 years and persons with disabilities (PwDs) with a 40% benchmark disability will have the option to vote from the comfort of their homes. This optional home voting facility is designed to make the electoral process more accessible and inclusive. The process will be videographed, and representatives of political parties will be involved to ensure transparency.
Political Landscape and Historical Context
In the 2019 Haryana Assembly elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 40 seats, forming a coalition government with the JJP, which had won 10 seats. The Congress secured 31 seats. The BJP’s alliance with JJP was a significant development, but the coalition eventually fell apart due to differences over seat-sharing arrangements.
In 2014, the BJP won a majority in the state assembly, ending a decade of Congress rule in Haryana. As the state prepares for the 2024 elections, all eyes will be on the major parties and alliances as they strive to gain an upper hand in this crucial battleground state.
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