The stage is set for the results of the 2024 assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), which follow the recent Lok Sabha elections and are expected to provide critical insights into the political landscape. Vote counting will start at 8 a.m. on October 8, beginning with postal ballots and then moving to the electronic voting machines (EVM) results. With high anticipation among political parties, attention will focus on how the results align with exit polls, offering clues for upcoming elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi.
J&K Election: A Historic Moment with a Heated Contest
The 90-seat Jammu & Kashmir assembly election is historic, being the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which drastically changed the region’s political dynamics. Exit polls suggest a closely contested race between the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Projections indicate that the Congress-NC alliance may secure around 43 seats, just shy of the 46-seat majority required.
On the other hand, the BJP is expected to win 27 seats, with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other smaller parties anticipated to capture 7 and 13 seats, respectively. The BJP’s performance will be scrutinized as it seeks to further strengthen its foothold in the region after its earlier coalition government with the PDP.
This election is the first assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir since 2014. The voting took place in three phases: 24 seats were contested in the first phase, 26 in the second, and the remaining 40 in the third. A total of 873 candidates are vying for 90 seats in the assembly. The voter turnout was 63.45%, slightly lower than the 65.52% turnout in the 2014 elections.
Security Preparations in J&K for Vote Counting
As political parties eagerly await the results, the administration has made extensive security arrangements. The Election Commission has established a three-tier security system across counting centers in all 20 district headquarters to ensure a smooth and peaceful counting process. Given Jammu & Kashmir’s history of tensions, terrorism, and insurgency, the region remains on high alert.
Top Political Figures in the J&K Election
Several high-profile candidates are contesting the J&K elections, including National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, Sajad Gani Lone of the People’s Conference, Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra, and BJP state president Ravindra Raina. Other notable contestants include Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir, PDP leaders Waheed Para and Iltija Mufti, Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari, CPI(M) veteran Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, and former deputy chief ministers Muzaffar Hussain Baig and Tara Chand.
Haryana: A Two-Way Contest Between BJP and Congress
In Haryana, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking a third consecutive term in office, despite facing anti-incumbency sentiments. The Congress, buoyed by exit poll predictions, is eyeing a return to power after ten years in opposition. The elections are expected to be tightly contested, with regional players like the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) possibly playing spoiler roles.
Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal confirmed that all preparations, including security measures, have been finalized for the counting process, set to begin at 8 a.m. on October 8. Polling in Haryana took place on October 5, after a postponement from the originally scheduled date of October 1. Over 2 crore registered voters participated, with a voter turnout of 67.9%.
A Crucial BJP vs Congress Showdown
This Haryana election represents the first major face-off between the BJP and Congress since the Lok Sabha elections. The outcome will likely shape political narratives for the upcoming elections in other states. According to exit polls, Congress is expected to win a significant victory, securing around 55 seats, comfortably surpassing the 46-seat majority threshold. The BJP is projected to win approximately 27 seats, while the INLD may secure 2 seats, the JJP 1 seat, and other smaller parties around 5 seats.
In contrast to Haryana’s largely two-party contest, J&K has seen multi-cornered battles, making the race in both regions a significant political event.
