Why did the EC postpone the election date in Haryana from October 1 to October 5? Votes to be counted on October 8

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday postponed the polling day for the Haryana Legislative Assembly elections from October 1 to 5 this year and advanced the counting of votes for the Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana Legislative Assemblies from October 4 to 8.

The decision was taken to honour both the voting rights and traditions of the Bishnoi community, which, according to the ECI, adheres to the centuries-old practice of participating in the Asoj Amavasya festival in memory of their Guru Jambheshwar.

ECI postpones election dates after Bishnoi community appealed for their right to vote during Asoj Amavasya festival

The commission said it had received a request from the national president of the All India Bishnoi Mahasabha in Bikaner, Rajasthan, to postpone the election date scheduled for October 1.

According to a tradition dating back generations, during the Amavas in the month of Asoj, many families in Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana visit their native village Mukam in Rajasthan for their annual festival in Bikaner district in memory of their Guru Jambheshwar.

This year, the festival will be held on October 2 and thousands of Bishnoi families living in Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar will travel to Rajasthan on polling day, denying them their right to vote, the Election Commission of India said.

In the past, the Commission has also adjusted election dates to take into account the sentiments of different communities.

For example, the 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly elections have been postponed by a week to allow devotees to travel to Varanasi for Guru Ravidas Jayanti.

Examples of ECI postponing elections during religious and cultural events

Similarly, in the 2022 general elections in Manipur, the Commission changed the polling dates to respect the Sunday prayers of the Christian community.

Similarly, the Commission for the 2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly elections postponed the polling date originally scheduled for Devuthani Ekadashi, a significant day for mass weddings in Rajasthan.

In the 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the polling date was changed due to Barawafat.

Coincidentally, the new election date would also eliminate any concerns about a six-day holiday, as a day's holiday would be granted on September 30, 2024, the Election Commission said.