Election Commission Reschedules Haryana Assembly Polls to October 5, 2024

Election Commission Reschedules Haryana Assembly Polls to October 5, 2024

The Election Commission of India has rescheduled Haryana Assembly elections to October 5, 2024, after receiving requests from the Bishnoi community. Vote counting will now be held on October 8, 2024.

In a significant development, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has rescheduled the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. The new date for voting is now October 5, 2024, while the vote counting will take place on October 8, 2024. The original schedule had set polling for October 1, with counting on October 4.

This change comes after a request from the All India Bishnoi Mahasabha, Bikaner, Rajasthan, which raised concerns about the polling date clashing with a longstanding religious tradition observed by the Bishnoi community. Thousands of Bishnoi families from Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan typically travel to Mukam village in Rajasthan to participate in a religious festival during the “Asauj” month’s new moon, which falls on October 2 this year. Given the overlap with the original polling date, many Bishnoi voters from regions such as Sirsa, Fatehabad, and Hisar expressed concerns about being unable to cast their votes.

The Election Commission, taking these representations seriously, decided to reschedule the voting date to ensure that Bishnoi community members can participate both in their religious observances and the democratic process. The ECI emphasized its commitment to respecting the traditions and voting rights of all citizens.

Historical Precedents for Election Rescheduling

This is not the first time the ECI has adjusted election dates in consideration of community sentiments. In 2022, the Punjab Assembly elections were postponed by a week to accommodate Guru Ravidas Jayanti, allowing devotees to travel to Varanasi. Similarly, during the 2022 Manipur Assembly elections, polling dates were revised to respect the Christian community’s Sunday prayers. Additionally, in the 2023 Rajasthan Assembly elections, the ECI rescheduled polling to avoid clashing with the Devuthani Ekadashi, a significant date for mass weddings in the state. In Uttar Pradesh in 2012, elections were postponed due to the observance of Barawafat.

Political Representations and Community Concerns

The decision to reschedule the Haryana Assembly elections was also influenced by representations from both national and state political parties, who supported the Bishnoi community’s request. The Chief Electoral Officer of Haryana, Pankaj Aggarwal, confirmed that the ECI had carefully considered these representations before making its final decision.

The Election Commission’s move highlights its sensitivity to religious and cultural traditions while balancing the need to ensure that elections are conducted in a manner that allows maximum voter participation. The revised schedule is expected to ensure that a larger section of the electorate is able to exercise their right to vote without conflict with important religious events.

Updated Election Schedule

According to the revised election timetable, the official gazette notification will be issued on September 5, 2024. The last date for filing nominations will be September 12, 2024, followed by the scrutiny of nomination papers on September 13. Candidates will have until September 16 to withdraw their nominations. The voting will now take place across all constituencies on October 5, 2024, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 8, 2024.

The ECI’s decision to accommodate the Bishnoi community’s request is expected to positively impact voter turnout in key districts like Sirsa, Fatehabad, and Hisar, where the Bishnoi community holds significant influence. The move underscores the importance of inclusivity in the electoral process and the Election Commission’s role in ensuring that no citizen is left behind due to religious or cultural obligations.

As the Haryana Assembly elections approach, political parties will now have to adapt their campaign strategies to the new timeline. The change in the polling date could also influence the dynamics of voter mobilization efforts across the state.

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