Assembly Elections 2024: EC reschedules Haryana voting day to Oct 5, results with J&K on Oct 8

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a revision in the polling schedule for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. Originally set for October 1, 2024, the polling day has been rescheduled to October 5, 2024.

Consequently, the counting of votes for both Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections will now take place on October 8, 2024, instead of the previously planned October 4, 2024.

The change in the schedule was prompted by the ECI's decision to honor the centuries-old tradition of the Bishnoi community. The Bishnoi community, a significant group in the region, observes the Asoj Amavasya festival, which holds religious importance as it commemorates their Guru Jambheshwar.

The ECI recognized the need to ensure that the community could fully participate in this important cultural and religious event without compromising their voting rights.

In a statement, the ECI emphasized its commitment to respecting cultural and religious practices while ensuring the democratic process is upheld. By adjusting the polling dates, the ECI aims to provide all citizens, including those from the Bishnoi community, the opportunity to exercise their voting rights without any conflict with their religious observances.