Vikrant Shekhawat : Aug 31, 2024, 09:17 PM
Haryana Election 2024: The decision of the Election Commission is often important in India's democratic process, and recently one such decision has affected the dates of assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. The Election Commission has extended the voting date in Haryana from October 1 to October 5, while the results will now be declared on October 8 instead of October 4. Similarly, the date of election results in Jammu and Kashmir has also been fixed as October 8.Reason for change of dateThe Election Commission has taken this decision respecting the traditions of the Bishnoi community and their right to vote. The Bishnoi community organizes a special festival in memory of Guru Jambheshwar on the day of Asoj Amavasya every year. Respecting this tradition, the Election Commission has extended the date of voting. The decision was taken after the BJP demanded the extension of the polling date, citing the need to change the polling date due to festivals and holidays.Coincidence of earlier datesEarlier, voting was planned in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir on October 1, which was clashing with weekends and public holidays. With September 28-29 being a weekend and October 2 also being a holiday, many voters were likely to go out of town. Keeping this situation in mind, the Election Commission decided to revise the dates.Election processOn August 16, the Election Commission had announced the dates for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana. Voting will be held in three phases in Jammu and Kashmir, while it has been decided to conduct voting in a single phase in Haryana. Voting will be held in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18, 25 and October 1. Voting will now be held in Haryana on October 5. As per the earlier announced date, the results were to be declared on October 4, but now the election results of both the states will come out on October 8.Special context of Jammu and KashmirJammu and Kashmir are holding assembly elections for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, and this time the process of assembly elections is starting in the state after 10 years. This election marks a significant change in the political and social landscape of the region.ConclusionThis decision of the Election Commission not only respects the traditions of the Bishnoi community, but is also an important step towards making the voting process smooth and accessible. The new dates for elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir present a new opportunity for voters and reflect the strength of democracy.