‘Can’t exclude Ramzan month from poll schedule’ month, says EC as polls clash with Ramzan

After Trinamool Congress leader and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim said voting would be arduous for those observing Ramzan in Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission on Monday clarified that polls are being conducted during Ramzan as a complete month cannot be excluded from the poll schedule.

Ramzan — observed by Muslims as a month of fasting — begins on May 5 and ends on June 4. The polls begin on April 11 and the last phase of polling will be held on May 18. While questioning the lengthy poll schedule, Kolkata Mayor Hakim had earlier commented on difficulties faced by voters.

“The Election Commission is a constitutional body and we respect it. We don’t want to say anything against it. But the seven-phase election will be tough for people in Bihar, UP and WB. It will be most difficult for those observing Ramzan ,” Firhad Hakim was quoted saying by a news agency.

The EC said Fridays and the date of the main festivals are avoided for poll days.

Ramzan falls during the fifth, sixth and seventh phase of the polls, which are scheduled on May 6, 12 and 18.

Fifty-one seats in seven States, including 14 in UP, 12 in Rajasthan, five in Bihar, seven each in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh and two seats in Jammu and Kashmir will have polling on May 6; 59 seats in seven states and union territories will see voters casting their ballots on May 12, when the sixth phase of elections will be held – 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, eight seats each in Bihar, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, and four in Jharkhand.

On May 18 when the seventh and the final phase of voting will take place, 59 seats in 8 States or union territories will go to polls, including 13 in UP, nine in West Bengal and eight each in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.

Former ECs told BusinessLine that the Commission looks at a variety of issues, including examinations, weather conditions and festivals while drawing up the poll schedule.

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