Haryana Assembly Polls Rescheduled to October 5 to Respect Bishnoi Festival

GG News Bureau
Chandigarh, 31st August. The Haryana assembly election will be held on October 5, a revision from the initially planned date of October 1, the Election Commission (EC) announced today. This change honors the voting rights and traditions of the Bishnoi community, whose Asoj Amavasya festival falls during this period.

The counting day for both Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir elections has been shifted to October 8 from October 4. The EC’s decision was influenced by representations from the All India Bishnoi Mahasabha, which highlighted the community’s long-standing tradition of participating in the Asoj Amavasya festival in Bikaner, Rajasthan.

The Bishnoi community, particularly from Sirsa, Fatehabad, and Hisar, would be traveling to their village Mukam in Rajasthan for the festival on October 2. This travel would have impeded their ability to vote on the original date.

The EC has previously adjusted election dates to respect various community traditions. Notable examples include the postponement of the Punjab assembly election in 2022 for Guru Ravidas Jayanti, changes to polling dates in Manipur for Christian prayers, and rescheduling in Rajasthan for Devuthani Ekadashi.

The revised election date will also address concerns about a potential six-day holiday by taking a one-day leave on September 30.