Pune: The Election Commission of India recently announced the dates for assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana, but has yet to set a date for Maharashtra's elections. This delay has sparked discussions about the timing and reasons behind the postponement of elections in Maharashtra.

During the press conference, Rajeev Kumar was asked twice about Maharashtra's assembly elections. He responded, "It is likely that the Maharashtra assembly elections will be held after Diwali. Due to upcoming festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, and Pitru Paksha, the dates have not yet been announced."

For Haryana, the election period was set for November 3, while Maharashtra's was scheduled for November 26.

Unlike previous years when the issue of Jammu and Kashmir was not present, this year involves five elections: Maharashtra, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, and Delhi. Security concerns and the impact of recent rains, which have delayed BLO (Booth Level Officer) work, also play a role.

Considering these factors and the upcoming festivals, the decision was made to combine the elections of two states, he added. In 2019, elections were held simultaneously in Haryana and Maharashtra.

The Election Commission has announced the dates for Haryana, but the delay in announcing Maharashtra's election date has stirred political discussions.

Meanwhile, the Pune District Administration has initiated the preliminary inspection of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in preparation for the upcoming state assembly elections, as directed by the Election Commission of India. The inspection involves a total of 49,328 machines, including ballot units, control units, and VVPATs (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail).