Election Commission turns down pleas to change poll dates

Election Commission of India today rejected request of "some" political parties to change the dates of first two phase of polls in Assam due to festivals, saying it cannot have this "luxury" while conducting such a huge national exercise.
The full Commission, which came to Assam in its first visit to any state after announcing the Lok Sabha poll dates, also directed the police to seize all licenced and illegal arms to have a free and fair elections in the state.
"Some political parties requested us to change the dates of April 7 and 12 for polling in Assam. Unfortunately we cannot agree. We cannot have the luxury while conducting such a national election," Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath said at a press conference here.

Flanked by the two Election Commissioners H S Brahma and S N A Zaidi, Sampath said the parties are arguing that April 7 is 'Ashokastami', while April 12 is just two days ahead of Bihu festival.
"These two days are not even restricted holidays in Assam. During the poll days, we will have holidays and people will come out to vote," he added.
The Lok Sabha elections for 14 seats in Assam will be held on April 7, 12 and 24, while counting will take place along with the entire country on May 16.
Talking about measures that the Commission is taking to have a conducive atmosphere for polling, Sampath said "We have asked the police for deposition of all licenced arms along with seizure of all illegal arms. We don't want the voters to be intimidated in any way."

He further said the Commission has asked the concerned authorities to have vulnerable mapping of areas and then to provide security so that people living in those areas are not threatened and they can come and vote.