Dates for polls in Maharashtra and Haryana will be announced at noon.

Voting in the northern state of Haryana and western state of Maharashtra, home to the financial hub of Mumbai, will be on October 21, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said. Votes will be counted on October 24, he said. The last date for filing nominations is October 4 and the deadline for withdrawing them is October 7. These are the first state polls after the national election this year that the BJP swept, clearing the way for a second term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PM Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in power in both of the states. The party won all of the seats in Haryana in the May general election.

While the term of 288-member Maharashtra assembly ends on November 9, that of the 90-member Haryana assembly expires on November 2.

The ruling BJP and its ally Shiv Sena have already jump-started their campaign in Maharashtra, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis taking out a Maha Jan Aadesh Yatra last month to reach out to voters in the state. The outreach programme was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.

Here are the Highlights on Election Commission announcement for polling dates in Maharashtra, Haryana:

Sep 21, 2019 14:53 (IST) BJP, Shiv Sena Will Contest Maharashtra Election Jointly, Will Be Back As CM: Devendra Fadnavis



Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated today that the BJP and the Shiv Sena will contest next month's Assembly election together. The chief minister also said he is confident that he will retain the post after the elections." itemprop="description Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated today that the BJP and the Shiv Sena will contest next month's Assembly election together. The chief minister also said he is confident that he will retain the post after the elections." itemprop="description

Sep 21, 2019 14:52 (IST) DMK and Congress to contest one seat each in Tamil Nadu by-elections, and Congress to contest one seat in Puducherry by-elections.

Sep 21, 2019 14:52 (IST) "Will announce our stand on Sunday": Deve Gowda

Asked about the possibility of an alliance between Congress and JDS, Deve Gowda said: "We will announce our stand on Sunday, on how many constituencies we will contest. Our party's stand is that no matter if we win or lose we have had enough of coalition".

Sep 21, 2019 14:08 (IST) Two special expenditure observers, both retired Indian Revenue Service officers, will be sent to Maharashtra to check election spending by candidates, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora told reporters today.

Sep 21, 2019 13:46 (IST) These are the first state polls after the national election this year that the BJP swept, clearing the way for a second term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in power in both of the states. The party won all of the seats in Haryana in the May general election.

Sep 21, 2019 13:11 (IST)

Sep 21, 2019 12:44 (IST) #AssemblyElections2019 dates overview -



Notification of election: 27th September

Last date of filing nominations: 4th October

Scrutiny of nominations: 5th October

Withdrawal of nominations: 7th October



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Sep 21, 2019 12:38 (IST)



Apart from Karnataka, by-elections will be held across Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, MP, Meghalaya, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh, on October 21. Counting will take place on October 24.

Sep 21, 2019 12:34 (IST) Fifteen seats in Karnataka -- the seats that fell vacant after Karnataka MLAs were disqualified--will go for by polls on October 21.

Sep 21, 2019 12:24 (IST) The biggest social media entities have come up with a Voluntary Code of Ethics, and have submitted it to the Election Commission: CEC Sunil Arora

Sep 21, 2019 12:22 (IST) Schedule for 64 by elections across the country also to be announced today along with Maharastra and Haryana assembly elections, says CEC Sunil Arora

Sep 21, 2019 12:21 (IST) "Candidates will be allowed to spend Rs 28 lakh on poll expenses," CEC Sunil Arora says

Sep 21, 2019 12:19 (IST) "Election campaigns have an environment cost, we have asked political parties not to use plastic. We will reissue our appeal," says CEC Sunil Arora.

Sep 21, 2019 12:17 (IST) "Two special expenditure observers will be sent to Maharashtra for assembly elections": Election Commission chief Sunil Arora.



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Sep 21, 2019 12:11 (IST) 1.82 crore registered voters in Haryana, Maharashtra has 8.94 crore voters: CEC Sunil Arora





The 5-year term of the Legislative Assemblies of Haryana and Maharashtra expires on November 2 and November 9.

Officials have visited both Maharashtra and Haryana to conduct on-ground surveys.

Since it's been less than six months since the 17th Lok Sabha polls, both states were found to be prepared.

Haryana has 1.82 crore registered voters and Maharashtra has 8.94 crore voters.

The Election Commission has visited both Maharashtra and Haryana to facilitate voting for people with disabilities.

Sep 21, 2019 12:07 (IST) Election Commission is privileged to play role in democracy, says CEC Sunil Arora

Sep 21, 2019 12:06 (IST) #AssemblyElections2019 | Election Commission announces dates for Maharashtra and Haryana assembly polls.



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