Is it just a coincidence that for some time now, whenever the Election Commission announces the schedule of any election, there is a need for changes in it later? There is an old saying that if it happens for the first time, it is a mistake. If the same mistake is made for the second time, it is called stupidity and if the same mistake is made for the third time, it is called crime. Leaving aside the earlier point, the Election Commission has made the same mistake three times in a row this year only. He had to make changes in the election program after it was announced. For the first time it seemed that the Commission had made a mistake. But what will we say about the same mistake the second and third time?
Think how much preparation the Election Commission does before announcing assembly elections in a state! Its entire system is busy preparing for the elections. The Chief Election Commissioner and two other Election Commissioners visit the states. There he has a meeting with administrative and police officials. Then there is a meeting of the Election Commission with representatives of political parties. The Election Commission considers the list of state-specific holidays and festivals. From examinations and crop season to rainfall and other factors are considered and then the election schedule is made. After this, with great fanfare, the Chief Election Commissioner along with both the Election Commissioners holds a press conference at Vigyan Bhawan, in which the election programs are announced. But later it is revealed that a mistake was made. So, the first question is why such mistakes are happening and if they are happening, is anyone being punished for them? If it is not the commission’s mistake to make frequent changes in the election schedule, then what should we call it?
Talking about the three mistakes of this year, the first mistake of the Election Commission happened during the Lok Sabha elections. Along with the Lok Sabha, assembly elections were also held in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The Election Commission fixed June 4 as the date of counting of votes for the Lok Sabha and the four states. After the Commission made the announcement, the Sikkim Government told the Commission that the tenure of the State Assembly was ending on June 2. After this, the Commission had to conduct the counting of votes in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh on June 2. The second mistake happened during the Haryana Assembly elections. The Commission fixed October 1 as the date of voting for all 90 seats in the state. But after the campaign started, suddenly BJP and many organizations told that there are continuous holidays on October 1, due to which the voting percentage may reduce and also told that it is a festival of Bishnoi community. Then the election date was extended to October 5. The third mistake is the by-election of 47 assembly seats in 14 states. The Commission has changed the date of by-elections for 14 seats in three states due to various reasons. Now voting on these seats will be held on 20th November instead of 13th November. The Election Commission has done a different feat in Maharashtra. Counting will take place there on 23rd November and the tenure of the Assembly is ending on 26th November. If the government is not formed within three days after the results, then President’s rule will have to be imposed. Don’t know whether there is a genius mind or a deep plan behind bringing such a situation?