EC rejects request for change in poll timings at Ramzan

New Delhi, May 6: Polling is underway for the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections in 51 constituencies spread over seven states. But Election Commission had to solve the question raised by a community regarding timings of voting. Ramzan, the month of fasting in Islam, will begin from May 7 (Tuesday). The Election Commission Sunday rejected a plea to reschedule the commencement of polls during the last three phases of the Lok Sabha elections to 5 am instead of 7 am due to Ramzan. According to the poll panel, the polling hour which is 11 hours is long enough against the statutory eight hours for the convenience of all sections of the society. 

The Supreme Court had on Thursday directed the Election Commission to take a call on a plea seeking to advance the voting timing to 5 am for the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha election due to heat waves and Ramzan.

The EC had set up a committee of officers on the issue.

The petition was filed by advocates Mohammed Nizamuddin Pasha and Asad Hayat, who mentioned it for urgent hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The bench had asked the counsel appearing for the poll body to take a decision on the issue.

In a letter to Pasha, the poll panel said, "The polling hours are long enough (11) hours against the statutory eight hours for the convenience of all sections of the society. The Commission does not find it feasible to alter the existing hours for the poll for the 5th, 6th and 7th phase."