The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday revised the polling date for the Haryana Assembly elections from October 1 to October 5, 2024. Consequently, the counting day for both the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Haryana Assembly elections has been moved from October 4 to October 8, 2024. 
The ECI’s decision aims to respect the traditions of the Bishnoi community, who celebrate the Asoj Amavasya festival in memory of their Guru Jambheshwar. The ECI’s press note stated, “The Election Commission of India had announced the schedule for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana vide Press Note No.ECI/PN/128/2024 dated 16th August, 2024 wherein the date of poll for J&K (Phase-3) and Haryana was fixed on 1st October, 2024 (Tuesday), date of Counting on 04.10.2024(Friday) and date of completion of election process on 06.10.2024 (Sunday).”
“Subsequently, representations have been received from National Political Parties, State Political Party, and All India Bishnoi Mahasabha regarding the mass movement of people of the Bishnoi community from Haryana to Rajasthan to participate in the centuries-old Asoj Amavasya festival celebration. It may deny voting rights to a large number of people and may lead to reduced voter participation in the general election to the Legislative Assembly of Haryana. The Commission, having considered these representations, has decided to change the date of the poll only for Haryana from 1st October, 2024 (Tuesday) to 5th October, 2024 (Saturday),” it added
BJP Urged ECI To Shift Haryana Election Citing Long Weekend
The BJP’s Haryana unit had earlier requested the ECI to reconsider the October 1 polling date, citing concerns that overlapping holidays might result in reduced voter turnout. Senior BJP leader Anil Vij defended the request, asserting, “The date that has been announced—if one takes a day off, it becomes a five-day holiday. There is a fear that people might go out of state, leading to a drop in the voting percentage. Congress has reacted to this, but we are not asking to move the date forward; you (ECI) can move it back. Move it back by 2-3 days so that this 5-day chunk does not occur. People should not be able to take a 5-day holiday. Move it back by 4-5 days, we are ready. You can conduct the election tomorrow; my party is ready to contest.”
Opposition leaders have strongly criticised the BJP’s stance. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Leader of the Opposition and former Haryana Chief Minister, contended, “It has been more than a week since the Election Commission announced the poll date. The BJP wants the polls to be deferred as it has accepted defeat. Polls should be held according to the date fixed by the EC… People of Haryana don’t want to see the BJP government in power even for a day,” as reported by news agency PTI.
Deepender Hooda, Rohtak MP and Bhupinder Hooda’s son, labelled the BJP’s request as “childish,” asserting on X (formerly Twitter), “It shows how scared the BJP is of the elections. The BJP is staring at defeat and is therefore coming up with such childish arguments. It has no issues, work or achievements to show to the people and no candidates to distribute the tickets. This is why the BJP is conspiring to postpone the elections by giving an excuse for holidays. The voters of Haryana are aware. They will not go anywhere for a holiday, but will come to the polling booth in large numbers to vote out the BJP government.”
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also criticised the BJP’s approach, accusing the ruling party of seeking excuses due to anticipated defeat. The AAP Haryana unit posted on X, “BJP did not do a single work for the people of Haryana in 10 years and now it is trying to postpone the elections due to fear of defeat. But the people of Haryana have made up their mind – this time BJP’s deposit is sure to be forfeited in the elections.”
Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Chautala suggested postponing the election date by one or two weeks, citing that long weekends often result in decreased voter turnout, potentially affecting participation by 15 to 20 per cent.