The Election Commission announced on Saturday that the assembly election date in Haryana has been postponed from October 1 to October 5. The commission noted that this decision was made to consider the centuries-old festival of the Bishnoi community. The counting of votes for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana will now take place on October 8, rather than October 4. Both the BJP and INLD had requested a change in the dates from the commission. However, parties like Congress, JJP, and AAP objected to the date change.
Political commentary on the commission's decision has also started. Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that it is the Election Commission’s prerogative, and they have extended the date. The BJP has already accepted its defeat in Haryana. When the Haryana government had written to the Election Commission, I had stated then that the Election Commission should extend the election date.
Haryana's CM Naib Singh Saini remarked, "I want to thank the Election Commission for their decision. Our state president Mohanlal Kaushik had written to the Commission regarding an issue that there were continuous holidays on September 29, 30, and October 1 and 2. We expressed concern that this could affect the voting percentage. People might go on vacations during these holidays. Other parties also raised concerns about this. I want to thank the Election Commission for considering it."
Former Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala said, "We welcome this decision. It clearly shows that the BJP is adopting all sorts of measures to avoid defeat. Changing the date will not alter anything, as the public has already decided to defeat them."
Former Deputy CM of Delhi and AAP leader Manish Sisodia expressed, "The Election Commission is under BJP's control. The countdown for BJP started after the Lok Sabha elections, and BJP will lose every election."
Jammu and Kashmir Congress President Tariq Hameed Karra stated, "Did the Election Commission not know about the festival at that time? They announce the final date after considering everything. They are making the elections suspect."
Former Deputy CM of Jammu and Kashmir and BJP leader Kavinder Gupta noted, "The reason given is that the Bishnoi community in Haryana has a centuries-old festival and people might participate in it. Considering this, a good decision has been made. We welcome this decision."
AAP Haryana President Sushil Gupta said, "BJP is scared. The people of Haryana have made up their minds to remove the corrupt BJP government from power. They want to stay in power for four more days. We are ready to contest elections on all seats in Haryana."
INLD leader and MLA Abhay Singh Chautala mentioned, "I thank the Election Commission. Due to the long holiday, many people might have gone out, which could have led to 10 to 20 percent of voters missing the vote."
