Haryana Election Postponed To October 5; Vote Counting Scheduled For October 8

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has revised the schedule for the Haryana Assembly elections, moving the polling date from October 1 to October 5, 2024. Consequently, the counting day for both the Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana Assembly elections has been rescheduled from October 4 to October 8.

This change was made to respect the voting rights and cultural practices of the Bishnoi community, who observe the Asoj Amavasya festival in honor of their Guru Jambheshwar. The decision follows requests from various political parties and the All India Bishnoi Mahasabha, which highlighted that the Bishnoi community traditionally travels to Rajasthan to celebrate the festival.

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The ECI stated that this mass movement could potentially disenfranchise a significant number of voters, thereby affecting overall participation in the Haryana legislative assembly elections.