AUGUST 16, 2024 - The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to announce the schedule for assembly elections in several key states and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir at 3:00 PM today. The press conference will take place at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, with media representatives invited to cover the event. Although the official notification has not specified the states, it is expected that the election dates for Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand will be revealed, alongside those for Jammu and Kashmir.

The legislative terms for the Haryana and Maharashtra assemblies conclude on November 3 and November 26, respectively, while Jharkhand's assembly term ends in January 2025. In addition, the Supreme Court has set a deadline of September 30 for holding the assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir, raising expectations that its poll schedule will also be announced today.

The Election Commission has recently conducted reviews of poll preparedness in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, though Maharashtra's visit is still pending. This announcement is anticipated to kickstart a crucial political season in these regions as parties gear up for the elections.