The Supreme Court on Thursday asked Election Commission (EC) to consider changing the present timings of voting and make it before 7 am in the wake of Ramzan and heat waves.

The bench was acting on plea filed by one Meenakashi Arora.

The opposition political parties have opposed the holding of General Elections in holy month of Ramzan. They are of the view that it hurts the religious sentiments of Muslims.

AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh had said that EV should
re-sechedule the poll dates of May 12 and May 19 falling in the month of Ramzan.

“How will Muslims participate in large numbers on May 12 and May 19 while they will be on fast during the month of Ramzan. How can EC expect them to queue up waiting for hours under the scorching heat of May-June to cast their votes.

“Does EC even lack this much of basic understanding and common sense. The EC should rethink over the May 12 and May 19 dates,” Singh had told ANI.

While the present ruling NDA government has rubbished the comments of opposition parties saying that previously also General Elections were held in the holy month of Ramzan.

—India Legal Bureau