The Haryana Assembly elections’ polling date has been rescheduled by the Election Commission of India (ECI) from October 1 to October 5, 2024. Following that, the day of counting for the Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana Assembly elections has been rescheduled from October 4 to October 8.
Polls postponed to honour Bishnoi community’s cultural traditions
The choice to change the dates was made to respect the voting rights and cultural traditions of the Bishnoi community, who have upheld a long-standing tradition of participating in the Asoj Amavasya festival in honor of their Guru Jambheshwar, stated the poll panel.
“Representations have been received from National Political Parties, State Political Party and All India Bishnoi Mahasabha regarding mass movement of people of Bishnoi community of Haryana to Rajasthan to participate in centuries old Asoj Amavasya festival celebration” the EC said in an official statement.
Also read: Haryana Elections to be held in single phase on October 1; Results to be announced on October 4
“It may deny voting rights to large number of people and may lead to reduce voters’ participation in general election to legislative assembly of Haryana,” it added.
The Asoj Amavasya festival to be held on October 2
The Asoj Amavasya festival, occurring on October 2 this year, will lead to several Bishnoi families from Sirsa, Fatehabad, and Hisar traveling to Rajasthan, resulting in them being unable to exercise their right to vote.
The BJP had asked the Election Commission to change the Assembly polls scheduled for October 1 due to potential low voter turnout caused by nearby holidays.
Beforehand, the election commission had declared that the Assembly elections in Haryana will take place in one phase on October 1 with results being announced on October 4.
