The Day That ‘Counts’ for Haryana, J&K: Voters’ Verdict on ‘Double Engine Govt’ vs ‘Change’ to Be Out on Tuesday – News18

The counting of votes for both the Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir assembly elections will take place on October 8. The J&K assembly election for 90 constituencies was held over three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1. Polling for the 90 seats of the Haryana assembly took place on October 5.

This J&K assembly election assumed significance as it was the first since the dilution of Article 370 in August 2019 and after the former state was bifurcated into the union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The National Conference and Congress jointly fought the electoral battle, while the Peoples Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party contested independently. Several strong independent candidates are also in contention.

The key contesting parties in Haryana included the BJP, Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), as well as the pre-poll alliances between the Indian National Lok Dal-Bahujan Samaj Party (INLD-BSP) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP)-Azad Samaj Party (ASP). Several rebel and independent candidates may also bag seats.

What have exit polls indicated?

Exit polls on Saturday predicted that the Congress is likely to form the next government in Haryana, while its alliance with the National Conference may have its nose in front in Jammu and Kashmir despite a split verdict.

Based on a poll of polls, the Congress may bag 55 of Haryana’s 90 assembly seats, with the majority mark at 45. The Congress-NC combine could get 43 seats in J&K, which also has 90 assembly seats and 45 as the majority mark, with the BJP and independent candidates likely to net impressive numbers.

When will counting begin?

The official counting time begins at 8 am. The poll officials and counting agents appointed by political parties and candidates reach centres before 5 am.

Poll officials are briefed to take their places at counting tables by 6 am.

How are votes counted?

The process begins with the counting of postal ballots that only select groups can use, including people with disabilities, or those involved in essential services including security forces and some government officials.

The counting begins under the supervision of the Returning Officer. Candidates are also present with their counting agents and poll agents. Mostly, government schools and colleges are used as counting centres and are monitored by high-security forces.

After paper ballots, votes recorded in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are counted.

How are results announced?

Results are announced for each constituency as soon as counting is completed. Early trends will be evident by noon after initial rounds of counting.

India follows a first-past-the-post electoral system in which a candidate securing the greatest number of votes is declared a winner. A winning candidate need not necessarily secure 50% of votes.