The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Sunday appealed to the State Election Commission to modify the polling schedule for the upcoming Chandigarh municipal corporation elections scheduled for May 26. The party requested an extension of voting hours from the current 8 am to 5 pm timeframe to a more accommodating 7 am to 6 pm slot, pointing to the severe heatwave conditions prevailing across Punjab.
Senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema issued a statement emphasizing that the existing timings could significantly deter voter participation, especially during the peak afternoon heat. He noted that senior citizens, women, and other vulnerable groups would face considerable difficulty in exercising their franchise under such circumstances.
Cheema argued that extended polling hours would create safer voting conditions and potentially boost overall voter turnout. He further contended that the current schedule places an unfair burden on daily wage workers and farm laborers, who might be compelled to choose between earning their livelihood and casting their vote.
"The commission should take a practical and humanitarian view to ensure maximum participation in the democratic process," Cheema stated. He urged the election body to prioritize voter convenience and safety over rigid scheduling.
The demand comes amid a broader concern over declining voter turnout in urban local body elections, with political parties seeking measures to enhance democratic participation. The SAD's request highlights the need for adaptive electoral practices in the face of extreme weather conditions, a challenge increasingly relevant in the context of climate change.
