ECI Rejects Request For Changing Poll Timing During Ramzan

The Election Commission of India has rejected the request for preponing the poll timing to 5 AM instead of 7 AM during Ramzan observed by Muslims.The poll body said that it was not "feasible to alter the existing hours of poll for the 5th, 6th and 7th phases of general elections".Last week, the Supreme Court had asked the ECI to take a decision on a representation made with the demand.The petitioners had sought a direction to Election Commission of India to extend polling hours during elections to take place on May 6, 2019, May 12, 2019 and May 19, 2019, respectively, by 2 - 2.5 hours so as to commence at 4:30 (or 5:00 AM depending on logistical and administrative pressures) instead of the notified time of 7:00 AM.IIn the PIL, the petitioners stated that in the present weather conditions, a lot of Muslims will be unable to go out to exercise their franchise once the day's heat commences. The petitioners said :"During this month, a large percentage of the voting population, i.e. adult Muslims, both men and women, young and old alike will be fasting and will not be consuming food or water starting approximately 1.5 hour before dawn till dusk every day… , In this intense heat, it will be very difficult for Muslim voters to queue up at the polling booths during the day in the intense heat to exercise their franchise. During Ramzaan, most practicing Muslims stay up / wake up for an early morning meal called Sehri and sleep after the morning Fajr prayer. Thereafter, they avoid going out in the heat to the extent possible to avoid thirst, dehydration and the possibility of a heatstroke. "

ECI Rejects Request For Changing Poll Timing During Ramzan

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