A Wednesday conundrum

The existence of a National Capital Region presents a unique problem for political parties contesting Assembly elections from any of its three states - Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Most states declare election day a holiday, so that people get the opportunity to vote, and those in essential services are allowed to come late after they vote. But what about voters who live in states that are going to the polls but work in states that aren't? This is an issue many Delhi-resident workers in Gurgaon and Noida will face on December 4, a Wednesday, when the Delhi Assembly elections are due. This conundrum has disturbed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is making its energetic poll debut. It, therefore, plans to request the Election Commission to issue a directive to organisations in Gurgaon and Noida to allow employees living in Delhi to vote and then come to work. The question, of course, is whether a higher voter turnout will be AAP's gain.