Campaigning ends for Haryana Election 2024: Exit polls, result date, candidates, and where to watch

As the election campaign for the Haryana legislative assembly polls, scheduled for October 5th, concluded on Thursday evening, the political landscape witnessed a fierce battle between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. The BJP, currently holding the reins of power in the state, is determined to surmount any potential anti-incumbency sentiment and secure a third successive term in office.The party's campaign strategy has focused on highlighting its achievements and development initiatives over the past two terms.
The voting will take place on October 5, 2024, from 7 am to 6 pm, while the counting of votes will occur on October 8, 2024, with the election results being declared on the same day.
The results for both Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir Assembly polls will be declared on October 8. Both the exit poll and the final results will be closely tracked and published on the Times of India website.
This year, only 1031 candidates are going to contest assembly elections which is less than 2014, when 1351 candidates had contested while 1169 candidates contested in the 2019 Assembly elections. Prominent among those in the fray include chief minister Saini (Ladwa), Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda (Garhi Sampla-Kiloi), INLD's Abhay Singh Chautala (Ellenabad), JJP's Dushyant Chautala (Uchana Kalan), BJP's Anil Vij (Ambala Cantt) and O P Dhankar (Badli), AAP's Anurag Dhanda (Kalayat) and Congress's Vinesh Phogat (Julana).
Among the independent candidates include Savitri Jindal (Hisar), Ranjit Chautala (Rania) and Chitra Sarwara (Ambala Cantt).
This election, there is also a drop in the number of women candidates for the upcoming election. Only 101 women are contesting for the Haryana election including Ambala's Shakti Rani Sharma and Shalley Chaudhary.
While the candidates are eagerly waiting for the election date, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that until 6:30 PM on October 5, 2024, the exit poll results will not be out.
Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agrawal said that according to the notification, conducting and publishing or publicizing exit poll using the print or electronic media or dissemination in any other manner whatsoever, the result of any exit poll in connection with the aforesaid general election shall be prohibited until 6.30 PM on 05.10.2024 (Saturday).
The exit poll predictions for the Haryana Assembly Elections 2024 will be visible on Times of India's website.