Maharashtra, Haryana poll dates likely by next week

The election process for states going to polls is expected to be set in motion as the Election Commission is likely to announce dates in this regard in the middle of next week.

The election process for states going to polls is expected to be set in motion as the Election Commission is likely to announce dates in this regard in the middle of next week.

The terms of legislative assemblies of Haryana and Maharashtra are coming to an end on October 27 and November 8 respectively. The terms of the legislative assemblies of Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir are ending on January 3 and 19 next year.

Sources in the poll body said festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra and Diwali and the deployment of central forces will decide the dates of assembly polls in Maharashtra and Haryana.

Winters in Jammu and Kashmir and deployment of poll personnel and security forces in Naxal-infested areas of Jharkhand and rains in September will be the major deciding factors in holding assembly polls in the two states.

The Election Commission has already ordered summary revision of electoral rolls in the states going for polls. Stakes are high for the BJP in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Haryana as the party and its allies had swept the Lok Sabha elections.

Haryana and Maharashtra are ruled by the Congress along with its allies. The minority Jharkhand Mukti Morcha government in Jharkhand is supported by the Congress.