Hold Gujarat polls after Dec 14, when Hindu wedding season ends: BJP to EC

Party has submitted detailed memorandum to Election Commission listing several suggestions for the elections

The registered political parties, including the BJP and the Congress, on Monday presented their demands before the Election Commission (EC), led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A K Jyoti, which is on a visit to the state to review the preparedness ahead of the Assembly election due later this year. The BJP has submitted a detailed memorandum to the Election Commission listing several suggestions of which one is to consider holding elections between December 14 and January 14, a period when no Hindu weddings take place.

Here's what the political parties demanded

BJP

Gujarat polls must be held after December 14

Reason: The period between December 5 and December 14 is considered auspicious for marriages. 

— Other demands: The ruling party also sought a relaxation in the rules pertaining to polling agents and said the EC should provide a single-window system to the candidates, so that they did not have to approach multiple officials. 

— Arrangements should be made so that the items seized by the EC before the polls were returned on time.

According to The Indian Express, the memorandum said, "It is pertinent to note that no marriage ceremonies take place between 14th of December up till 14th of January.This period is not considered appropriate for marriage ceremonies as per Hindu religion. Also, to be noted that more particularly the days from 10th December to 14th December, are the days when maximum ceremonies will take place. Therefore, considering this fact, it is requested if the date of the election is considered (the election dates) somewhere between 14th December to 14th January….”  The party said it would “be most suitable for the voters as well as the political parties and their candidates”

However, the memorandum has been criticised by many Facebook users for the ruling party's "dual stand". On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared demonetisation, thereby, declaring a major chuck of the economy as illegal tender. 

The big fat Indian wedding season turned into a nightmare for both traders and families.

Congress and Aam Aadmi Party

Congress party and AAP demanded random count of the voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips and that it be digitally established that the VVPAT machines were working properly. 

Tainted officers should be debarred from being deployed on election duty and that those on poll duty were made to cast their votes during their election training sessions. 

If names of voters were found missing from the voters' list, officers must be held accountable.