The Election Commission has postponed the Haryana assembly election date from October 1 to October 5, in respect of a centuries-old festival celebrated by the Bishnoi community.
The counting of votes for both the Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana assembly elections will now take place on October 8, instead of the previously scheduled October 4.
The decision came after a request from the national president of the All India Bishnoi Mahasabha, who pointed out that the Bishnoi community, which observes a centuries-old festival in honour of Guru Jambheshwar, would be travelling to their native village Mukam in Rajasthan on October 2, the date of the festival.
“The Commission had received representation from National President, All India Bishnoi Mahasabha, Bikaner (Rajasthan) for rescheduling the date of polling i.e. 01.10.2024 for Haryana Assembly Election as for generations numerous families of Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana have observed 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, in the memory of their Guru Jambheshwar. This year, the festival will take place on October 2 and thousands of Bishnoi families residing in Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar would be travelling to Rajasthan on poll day, denying them their voting rights,” the ECI said.
Justifying its decision, the apex poll body said, “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 Commission postponed the polls by a week to accommodate devotees travelling 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. In UP Assembly Elections 2012, poll date was changed due to Barawafat. Coincidentally, the revised polling day would also resolve any concerns of a six-day holiday by taking a one day leave on Sep 30, 2024.”
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