BJP leader and former CM of Madhya Pradesh Dr. Raman Singh
National Vice President of Bharatiya Janata Party and former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Raman Singh has demanded from the Election Commission to extend the date of voting for the second phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly elections. Raman Singh has said that due to the festival of Chhath Puja, a large number of voters will not be able to take part in this phase of voting, hence the date should be extended.
Voting for the ninety-seat Chhattisgarh Assembly is to be held in two phases on November 7 and 17, but in the meantime, the festival of Chhath is also to be celebrated between November 17 and November 20 this year. Raman Singh says that those who go out of the state in view of the festival will be deprived of voting.
As many voters as possible should vote – Raman Singh
Raman Singh has written in this regard on Further he wrote – I request the Election Commission of India to please extend the second phase of voting, so that maximum number of voters can join this election and use their franchise.
There are more people from UP and Bihar in Chhattisgarh
Many people from Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh have been living in many big cities of Chhattisgarh like Raipur, Bilaspur, Bhilai, Jagdalpur and Korba for years. Many people celebrate Chhath festival every year in these cities but some people also go to their home towns. This is the reason why Raman Singh feels that voter participation may reduce in the second phase of voting.
Aam Aadmi Party had also demanded
Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party had also demanded the Election Commission to change the date. The party has also submitted a memorandum in this regard. The party has said that Chhath Puja is on November 17 and due to the dates of weddings, people may face a lot of difficulty in taking part in the voting.
Date changed in Rajasthan due to festival
Earlier, the Election Commission in Rajasthan had changed the date of voting due to the festival. Earlier the date of voting in the state was declared as 23rd November but then the Commission changed it to 25th November. It was told that Dev Uthani Ekadashi is on 23rd November, many marriages take place on that day, hence voters may face problems. Later, when the Election Commission changed the date, all parties welcomed it.
Source: www.tv9hindi.com”