Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini Welcomes Election Commission’s Decision to Reschedule Poll Dates

Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], August 31: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has expressed his approval of the Election Commission’s decision to change the vote counting date for the Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana assembly elections. Originally set for October 4, the new date is now October 8, 2024.

Saini thanked the Election Commission, saying, “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 mentioned that the revised polling date would also address concerns about a six-day holiday by taking a one-day leave on September 30, 2024. Saini added, “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.”

Reacting to the 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.”

Congress party’s Kumari Selja echoed this sentiment, saying, “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 also welcomed the decision, stating, “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) revised the polling day for Haryana Assembly polls from October 1 to October 5, this year, and moved the counting of votes for both Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana Assemblies from October 4 to October 8. The decision was made to honor both the voting rights and the traditions of the Bishnoi community, which celebrates the Asoj Amavasya festival in remembrance of Guru Jambheshwar.

The Commission received a representation from the National President of All India Bishnoi Mahasabha, Bikaner (Rajasthan), requesting the rescheduling of the polling date set for October 1. The Bishnoi community has 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. This year, the festival will take place on October 2, and thousands of Bishnoi families residing in Sirsa, Fatehabad, and Hisar would be traveling to Rajasthan on poll day, denying them their voting rights.

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 traveling 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.