Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has welcomed the Election Commission’s decision to reschedule the counting of votes for the Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana assembly elections.
Originally slated for October 4, the date has now been moved to October 8, 2024.
Saini praised the Election Commission, stating, “I want to thank the Election Commission for their decision. Our State President, Mohanlal Kaushik, had written to the EC regarding a concern that there are consecutive holidays on September 29, 30, and October 1, 2. We expressed concern that this might affect the voting percentage, as people might go on holidays or vacations. Other parties also expressed similar concerns.”
The Election commission in its statement also mentioned that the revised polling date would also resolve any concerns of a six-day holiday by taking a one day leave on September 30, 2024.
“It is commendable that the Election Commission considered the feedback from various quarters and acted in the best interest of the democratic process. This decision will help ensure that voter turnout remains strong, and the integrity of the election process is maintained,” Saini said.
Reacting to the electoral body’s decision, AAP Haryana President Sushil Gupta said, “BJP is scared. The public of Haryana has made up its mind to remove the corrupt BJP government from power…They want to stay in power for four more days…We are ready to fight the elections on all seats in Haryana…”
Echoing the INDIA alliance partner, Congress party’s Kumari Selja said, “What can we say about the Election Commission? … They (BJP) could not win the race in 10 years, so what will happen in 5 days? Congress is ready and we will try to win all the seats.”
Former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala welcomed the EC’s decision and said, ” “We welcome this. This clearly shows that the BJP is adopting all these tactics to avoid its defeat. Changing the date will do nothing because people have made up their minds to defeat them…”
Former Deputy CM of J&K and BJP leader Kavinder Gupta said, “” …The reason that has been told is that, in Haryana, it centuries-old festival of the Bishnoi community will take place and people might attend it. In view of that, a good decision has been taken…we welcome the decision”
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday revised the polling day for Haryana Assembly polls from October 1 to October 5, this year as well as moved the counting of votes for both Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana Assemblies from October 4 to October 8.
The decision has been taken to honour both the voting rights and the traditions of the Bishnoi community, which has upheld a centuries-old practice of participating in the Asoj Amavasya festival celebration in remembrance of Guru Jambheshwar as per the ECI.
The Commission said it had received representation from National President, All India Bishnoi Mahasabha, Bikaner (Rajasthan) for rescheduling the date of polling set for October 1.
As per the representation for generations numerous families in Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana have observed a long-standing tradition of visiting their native village Mukam, in Rajasthan during the Amavas in the month of “Asoj” for their annual festival in Bikaner district, in the memory of their Guru Jambheshwar.
This year, the festival will take place on October 2 and thousands of Bishnoi families residing in Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar would be travelling to Rajasthan on poll day, denying them their voting rights, the Election Commission of India said.
In the past, the Commission has also adjusted election dates to respect the sentiments of various communities. For instance, during the Punjab Assembly Elections in 2022, the polls were postponed by a week to accommodate devotees to travel to Varanasi for Guru Ravidas Jayanti. Similarly, in Manipur during the 2022 Assembly elections, the Commission changed the polling dates to respect the Christian community’s Sunday prayers.
Likewise, in the 2023 Rajasthan Assembly elections, the Commission rescheduled polling originally scheduled on Devuthani Ekadashi, a day significant for mass weddings in Rajasthan.