The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday announced a change in the dates for polling and counting in Haryana amid demands from various sections regarding the same.
Haryana will go to polls on October 5 instead of October 1. The counting of votes for both Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir will take place on October 8. The date for the third phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir remains unchanged.
The poll body said in a statement that representations were received from national and state political parties and All India Bishnoi Mahasabha regarding the mass movement of people of the Bishnoi community of Haryana to Rajasthan to participate in centuries-old Asoj Amavasya festival celebration.
It may deny voting rights to a large number of people and may lead to reduce voters’ participation in general elections to the legislative assembly of Haryana, the poll body added.
“The Commission, having considered these representations, has decided to change the date of poll only for Haryana from 1st October 2024 (Tuesday) to 5th October 2024 (Saturday),” it added.
Poll dates for Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana were announced earlier this month for October 1 and the counting of votes for both states was supposed to take place on October 5.
Elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir in three phases starting from September 18. The third phase of polling, as announced earlier, will be held on October 1. The polling dates in the UT have not been changed.
News18 has learnt that the Chief Election Officer (CEO) of Haryana sent a report on Saturday to the ECI after consulting with the Deputy Commissioners of Hisar, Sirsa, and Fatehabad, after which the date changes were announced.
Bishnoi community’s annual festival falls on “Amavas” during the month of “Asoj” when the devotees go to their native place in Mukam, Bikaner.
This year, the festival will take place on October 2 and thousands of Bishnoi families residing in Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar will be travelling to Rajasthan on poll day, denying them their voting rights.
“Thousands of Bishnoi families reside in these three districts, and it is a longstanding tradition from the last 3 centuries for them to visit their native place in Mukam, Rajasthan, during this time. Families from these districts are expected to start their journey on October 1 which is the poll day in Haryana. Members of the Bishnoi community residing in other districts in Haryana are also likely to travel to Mukam in Rajasthan,” the report added.
Politicians React to Change In Poll Dates
- On EC changing the date of counting of votes for Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana assembly elections, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said, “I want to thank the Election Commission for their decision… Our State President Mohanlal Kaushik wrote to the EC regarding a problem that there are consecutive holidays on September 29, 30 and October 1, 2. We expressed concern that this might affect the voting percentage. People might go on holidays or vacations. Other parties also expressed concern over this… I want to thank the Election Commission they considered this…”
- Former Haryana Minister Anil Vij also expressed gratitude to the election commission for “revising facilitating and encouraging more people to come out to vote”.
- Congress leader and former Haryana CM Bhupinder Hooda said the change in polling dates reflects BJP’s acceptance of an impending electoral defeat. “They (BJP) have already accepted defeat in Haryana,” he said.
This is not the first time the election commission has adjusted poll dates out of respect for the sentiments of various communities.
During the Punjab Assembly Elections in 2022, ECI postponed the polls by a week to accommodate devotees travelling to Varanasi for Guru Ravidas Jayanti.
Similarly, in Manipur during the Assembly elections 2022, the election commission changed the polling dates to respect the Christian community’s Sunday prayers.
In the Rajasthan Assembly elections 2023, the poll body rescheduled the polling originally scheduled on Devuthani Ekadashi, a day significant for mass weddings in Rajasthan.
During the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls in 2012, polling date was changed due to Barawafat.
Speaking to News18, a poll body official said that the commission has consistently upheld the belief that “Every Vote Matters” and strives to create an ecosystem that encourages the active participation of all stakeholders, fostering a strong democracy.
“Inclusivity has always been a core value of the Commission, particularly in ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate in the electoral process,” the official said.
Questions were also raised on the earlier polling date of October as it was allowing the voters to club weekend (September 28 and 29), a national holiday (October 2). The date of polling – October 1 – would also have been a paid holiday. Also, October 3 would mark the first day of Sharad Navratri, a holiday for many.
Coincidentally, the revised polling date also resolves any concerns about a six-day holiday by taking a one-day leave on Sep 30, 2024.
However, polling on weekends has also not helped the ECI in higher voter turnout due to urban apathy — working class using the date as an extra paid holiday.