SHILLONG, JAN 16: The Hill State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP) echoed the Garo Baptist Convention in demanding the postponement of the Assembly polls from February 23 to February 26 in the interest of the Chirstian community of the state.
In a letter to the chief election commissioner of India V. S. Sampath, HSPDP secretary Enbin K Raswai said since February 23 is a Saturday, it will be well nigh impossible for many polling officials belonging to Christian faith to attend the Sunday church service the following day since they will be posted in different corners of the state. Besides, as is the practice every year, Synods will hold their annual youth meetings and Presbyteries during the last weekend of February, he said
“We urge the commission to review the poll date and, if convenient, agree to conduct the polling on the date proposed (by his party),” said Raswai, while reminding that the Constitution allows citizens the freedom to practice their region and protects them from being discriminated against on grounds of religion as per Article 25 and Article 15 of the Indian Constitutions respectively.
The Garo Baptist Church had similar request to the Election Commission of India yesterday. Unlike the HSPDP, it had suggested that the polling date should either be advanced or postponed from February 23 so that the vast majority of its 3 lakh members in the Garo Hills could attend church services the following day. (By Our Reporter)
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