Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana has petitioned the Election Commission to reschedule the Assembly elections, originally set for October 1, due to consecutive holidays that could affect voter turnout. This move has sparked criticism from the Congress, with former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda asserting that the BJP’s request is an indication that they have “accepted defeat.”
Haryana BJP President Mohan Lal Badoli, in a formal letter to the Election Commission, expressed concerns that the timing of the polls—preceded and followed by holidays—could lead to a lower voter turnout as many people may opt to go on vacation. Badoli suggested that the election date be moved to a later time to ensure higher voter participation.
Varinder Garg, a member of the BJP’s state election management committee, explained, “We have reasoned that the Assembly election date of October 1 is preceded by a weekend and followed by several holidays. This could impact the voting percentage as people may take advantage of the extended break for vacations.”
Detailing the holiday schedule, Garg added, “Saturday, September 28, is a holiday for many, followed by Sunday. October 1 is the poll date, which is followed by Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 and Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti on October 3, both of which are holidays.”
Election Commission Response
Haryana’s Chief Electoral Officer, Pankaj Agarwal, confirmed that the Election Commission had received Badoli’s request via email and forwarded it to the central body for consideration. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini also acknowledged the request, stating that the letter was written to prevent a decline in voter turnout due to the extended holiday period.
“Our BJP state president, Mohan Badoli, has formally requested the Election Commission to consider shifting the election date after consulting other political parties. This is to ensure that voter turnout remains high despite the string of holidays,” Saini explained.
Congress Criticizes BJP’s Move
The Congress, however, has interpreted the BJP’s request as a sign of desperation. Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda accused the BJP of trying to delay the election out of fear of losing. He asserted that the people of Haryana are eager to vote out the current government.
“By asking to postpone the election, the BJP is essentially admitting defeat. The Election Commission announced the poll date over a week ago, and now they want to change it. The people of Haryana do not want this government to remain in power even a day longer,” Hooda remarked.
Background on Haryana Elections
The Election Commission announced on August 16 that Haryana’s Assembly elections would be conducted in a single phase on October 1, with results to be declared on October 4. The BJP is aiming for a third consecutive term, while the Congress is seeking to reclaim power in the state. The current Haryana Assembly, consisting of 90 seats, will see its term end on November 3.
