Maharashtra, Haryana elections to take place on October 15: Election Commission

The Central Election Commission of India, on Friday, announced the election dates for the Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections 2014.

Speaking to media, Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath said, " Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections will take place on 15th of October, 2014."

The election in both the states will be conducted on a single day. "The notification for the election will be issued on September 20, while the last date for filing nomination will be September 27. The Scrutiny of the election applications will be undertaken on September 29," said VS Sampath.

​He further added, "Those candidates who want to withdraw their application from the election can withdraw it by October 1, While the counting will be done on October 19. The term of Haryana government ends on October 27, 2014. Whereas, the term of Maharashtra Assembly expires on November 8, 2014.

Haryana state has 90 Assembly constituency seats with 17 reserved seats for Schedule caste(SC) and 9 seats for Schedule tribes (ST). Maharashtra state consist of 288 Assembly seats with 17 reserved for SC and 9 for ST. The code of conduct is implemented with immediate effect from today.

As of July 31, Haryana state consist of 1, 16, 000,00, while the total number of voters in Maharashtra is 8, 25, 90,000. The Election Commission also said that the list of voters will be updated till the last date.

Sampath further added, "Candidate must fill all options in nomination, if he doesn't the nomination is liable for rejection. As per directions of Supreme Court EC has made provisions for NOTA in the EVM machines.”

Speaking on Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi assembly polls, Sampath said, "We are watching situation very closely in Jammu and Kashmir. A decision will be taken after things become clear. The Commission will be in readiness whenever there will be polls but as far as government formation in Delhi is concerned, it is not under our purview."