The political parties in Haryana have geared up after the Election Commission announcement for holding Assembly polls in the State on October 15. All 90 Assembly seats will go to polls in a single phase on October 15 in Haryana while votes will be counted on October 19. There are more than 1.62 crore eligible voters in the State.
This time, the ruling Congress is facing a stiff challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the main Opposition Indian National lok Dal (INlD). The Congress is eyeing to retain the power for a third consecutive term in the State. Announcing the schedule of the Assembly polls, Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Shrikant Walgad on Friday said the polling will be held on October 15 in all 90 constituencies of the State and counting of votes would be held on October 19.
He said, “The candidates can file their nominations from September 20 to 27, scrutiny of nominations will be held on September 29 and last date of withdrawal of candidature is September 1.” He said that Electronic Voting Machines would be used in all 90 Assembly constituencies.
With the announcement of elections on September 12, the model code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect. Instructions regarding the strict compliance of the model code of conduct have been issued to the Administrative Secretaries of all the Departments, Deputy Commissioners and Political Parties,” he added.
He said that for the first time in the state, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system would be used in six assembly constituencies namely-13-Thanesar (Kurukshetra), 21-Karnal, 25-Panipat, 31-Sonipat, 62-Rohtak and 77-Gurgaon.
In order to maintain the law and order and to ensure free and fair elections, arrangement of security would be made in accordance with Election Commission of India’s directions. Further, Election Commission of India would appoint expenditure observers and general observers to monitor the activity of expenditure, election, poll and Model Code of Conduct etc. Videography of all critical events including nomination, scrutiny, allotment of symbols, preparation of EVMs and their storage etc. would be ensured by the returning officers, he added.